The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-08-31

gloom-there is also the excitement OF
inspiration to do and to be. 1t is impos-
sible to reckon the influence of this Alb
bey in this respect on the English mind.
Young men who visit it witness and car
ry away in indelible impression the re-
verence England pays to the good and
the great. The Spartan and the Persian
in ancient times made fine political use
of sepulchral vanity. They permitted
none to be thus inferred who had not
fallen in the viadication of their country.
A monument therefore became a real
mark of distinction-it nerved the heros
arm with ten-fold vigor. Akin to this is
the effect of Westminster Abbey. Here
the circle of merit is enlarged so as to
embrace not only the great warriors but
all who have improved and adorned hu-
man life. With very few exceptions,
nothing but real merit gains place in
this renowned sanctuary. True, no dis
tlnctions such as one would expect in a
fame of religion, is preserved between
mere greatness and goodness. Some are
highly praised in the inscriptions, who
never entered this or any other temple
until dead. But none intrude here with
rare exceptions, save those who have
served humanity nobly in some avenue
OF art or philosophy or poetry or heroism.
Ut this fact we witness an emphatic IL
lustration on the day of our visit. AS
we linger the great doors are thrown
open and we behold a
Funeral Pageant in Westminster
Abbey.
The body of Arthur Penrhyn Stanley.
Dean of Westminster, is being borne to
Its last receptacle within the walls. No
worthier name has ever been added to
the Abbeys grand scroll of distinguished
dead. A preacher OF Christianity by
life as well as word, he was loved and
venerated by multitudes who had little
reverence for the clergy in general. An
ardent defender of the Church of Eng
land, he was yet a link between the vari-
GUS sects, who in the violence of their
denominationalism would rend each other
and the Church of God in pieces. An
enthusiast for humanity, men of all ma
tlons met round about him, and found
him, though an earnest Englishman,
real brother. His catholicity of feeling
attracted to him not only all classes Of
men, but the best and highest culture of
the laity of his time. Whatever custom
may be, thought in this age is aecumeni-
cal, large-hearted, in a word, Christian.
The thinkers of all climes and all reli-
gious parties have been irresistibly drawn
to the man who appears back of the books
which have been issued bearing the name
of Dean Stanley Above the genius of
his writings (and his Jewish Church will
live as work of genius), has always
been the eloquence of his personality.
If we in America, and brethren in the
most distant colonies have felt this at
traction to the man, it is not strange that
In England he was reverenced by all,
and his death called forth an outburst of
universal grief never before exhibited for
any English clergyman. The effect Of
Dean Stanley's life on his generation is a
lesson to all, that nothing SO limits in
tiuence as pettiness of character, and that
as in the days of Christ, men are still
ready to worship those who see always
the better side Of human character, and
turning away from all that is mean, habit
uate themselves to the lofty and the hon
orable. A lesson of patience and hope
also comes from the Deans life to those
who think themselves poorly equipped
for such high uses and grand effects in
life. Arthur Stanley had poor natural
equipment. His was veritably "a vile
body" or more truly indeed body of
humiliation. His voice was not sweet
nor magnetic, yet he thought SO whole
somely and nobly men were compelled
to hear when he opened his lips. He
could never distinguish colors nor see
any landscape vividly, yet he borrowed
the eyes of others, and described with a
delicacy and power as if his own eye had
penetrated every nook and Granny of ma
ture. His taste was defective, and but
for the watchful care Of friends he would
have forgotten to eat, yet he was the
most convivial of men apparently, and
an unrivalled host. With a nature of
the most untoward character, he yet con-
quered every difficulty, and was most et-
fective in the aspect Of life in which he
was equipped the least. What marvel
the great Abbey would not hold the mass
who sought to pay his poor body the
last reverence What wonder an un-
usual hush of solemn grief filed the place
as the burial service was chanted, and
the lesson was read by Canon Prothero
assisted by Rev. DR.. Farrar. Then the