The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-05

where men do most eongregate' He would
have been identified with the great enterprises
of the day. to increase Nations wealth and
power, and the glory of that city in whose en-
CHEATING park be snail have repose beneath the
Modest monument He would have enjoyed IN
domestic and social wealth and well-earned
renown. But heaven had decreed
otherwise. Man proposes and God dis
poses" There are but few important events
in the affairs of men brought about by their
own choice. Such was his faith in Providence
which impaired to him absolute power in his
great mission: and when burdened with the
gravest responsibilities when conscious that a
nations life had oeen confided to his care: when
the darkness of adversely oyershadowed him. he
trusted IN the Lord who is mightier than the
mighty.
Doing nothing for show, yet he made public
recognition to God by his faithful and con
sclentious attendance upon Divine worship. No
public man heard more sermons than he, and he
was the best Of hearers Whether IN the OBJ
security OF Gaiena, or in the conspcuousnesS OF
Washington, or in the private walks of life in
New York, he was in his pew on the Lords
Day. And his pastor was always sure OF his
presence on a stormy Sabbath. His faithful at
tendance at church was largely inspired by his
respect for the Sabbath day. On Monday,
April 90 he said to me- Il did not go riding
yesterday, although invited and permitted by
NY physicians, because it was the Lords Day,
and because felt that if relapse should set in,
the people, who are praying for me- would feel
on Sunday" And on Sunday night to divert
his attention from pain and uneasiness his
eldest son suggested innocent diversion,
but when informed that it was near midnight,
the honored father replied: ut is too near the
Sabbath TO begin any diversion
He was a man of prayer 1t was on Sabbath
evening, March % when alone with Mrs. Grant,
that his pastor entered. and the General, with
tenderest appreciation and gratitude, referred to
the many prayers offered for him, and men
toned societies and little children who had
promised to pray for him daily; and then in
answer to his ministers suggestion that we
should join that universal prayer, he replied
with emphasis, Yes" and at the conclusion of
our suppllcatlon the lustrious invalid responded,
amen" That amen by that silent man was
more significant than volumes by others. But
it was his custom and habit to call to prayers
On March q, late IN the evening he requested
all to enter his for devotions, and made
special request for the presence of his ''beloved
physician" and his friend Romero. And on this
mount, to be hereafter hallowed ground, and
whore his monument shall rise in grandeur, he
said to an honored priest of another church;
know and feel very grateful to the Christian peo
pie OF the land for their prayers my behalf. There
IL no sect or religion as shown IN the Old or New
Testanents, to which this does apply. Catholics,
Protestants and Jews, and all the good people Of all
nations, of all politics we'll religions and all
tionaities seem to have united in wishing praying
for my improvements I am q great sufferer all the
time but the facts have related are
for much of it, All that can do is to pray that the
prayers of all these good people may be answered
far as to have US meet III another and better world
JULY 8. 1885. L. 5. GRANT
He was not bigot Bgotry was no part of
his noble and generous nature While he de-
manded religion the safeguard of free
people, he accorded to all the largest freedom of
faith and worship He without prejudice:
he claimed that public education should be non
sectarian but not non.religious. His Des
Aloines public speech on education not
against the Roman Catholic Church, but against
ignorance and superstition. The order issued
during the war excluding certain Jewish traders
from a given military district. did not originate
with him, but came from higher authority; and
not against the religion of the Jews.
His was the bcatitude; BLESSED is he that con-
sidereth the poor Strangers might regard him
up and call him blessed Many were the pen
sioners on his kindly bounty. He gave ''his
goods to feed the poor" While President he
heard his pastor on active Christianity and
in the discourse mention made of soldiers
widow, sick and poor, and of a blind man in
pressing want He had just reached the White
House, when he sent me back this card with the
money. please give $40 to the blind man, and
$40 to the soldiers widow" On a Christmas eve
he wrote me thus:
EXECUTIVE MANSION Dec. "a, 1860.
Dear Doctor-Please find inelosed my check for
500, for distribution among the poor and don't for
get The Ragged Schools" the Island. Yours
truly. L. S. GRANT.
In private, unseen life, ne bore many of the
fruits of the spirit He loved his enemies not
as he loved his friends, but he loved them as
enemies by doing them good as he had opportu-
nifty. Of all men known in a pastoral expert
ence Of thirty years, he displayed the spirit of
forgiveness more than any other man. He
caught the spirit Of the Savior's prayer Faith
er, forgive them; they know not what they do. y
There is one high in official position in our
Nation who had traduced him at the point of
honor, whereat great soldier is most sensitive
and the wrong done was made public to the
modification of all. Grieved at what he had
done, and confined to his sick-room, he
who had offended was nigh unto death
But himself a man of proud and sens-
tive spirit, he sighed for reconciliation. Would
the President forgive the offense and called on
the sick" anxiously asked interesting friends
suggestion from mo that it would be Christ
ian act to call was sufficient. The call was
made; the sick man revived; and old friendship
was restored. And rising 20 1nagnanimity
worthy saint, he would not withhold an honor
due. even from those who had done him a wrong
Who does not regret the death of such man?
Heaven may be richer; but earth is poorer. On
one of those delusive April days when hope re-
vlved IN all our hearts. | said to him: You are
man of Providence: God made you the instru-
ment to save our Nation aud He may have a
great spiritual mission to accomplish by you
and may raise you up In the most solemn and
impressive manner, with mind clear and a
voice distinct he replied: Il do not wish to pro
claim it; but should He spare my life it is my in
tention and resolve to throw all my influence bv
my example in that direction
He is gone but shall death defeat a purpose
SO benefcent! Is he not mightier in his death
than in his life! What home has not felt the
sympathetic chord touched by the invisible
hand of his terrible but patient suffering? How
the embers of sectional strict have died out on
the hearthstone of the Nation! How political
animosities have skulked away in shame from
the peaceful spirit of his last moments! How
sectaran prejudice sank into oblivion when
around his couch all bowed in prayer before a
universal Savior! How the young men of the
Republic realized that life is worth living when
they felt the touch OF his great soul. How the
little children of the Nation united his name with
that of father and mother III their purer prayers
and opened the tablets of their young memories
to receive the image of his life and character
And wherever he had touched the circuit of the
earth, there came from Japan, China and India,
from the temples of Jerusalem and the Pyra