Wichita daily eagle., 1885-08-11
MEMORIAL SERVICE.
A Vast Multitude Thronged the
New Methodist Church.
An Eloquent Tribute Paid the Dead
Hero by Rev. T. S. Hodgson.

With drum beat and heart beat fling now
the banner high.
While drums beat and hearts beat be-
meath the starlt sky,
The Patriot who adored il,
The Soldier who restored it.
The hero, supplemented,
OUR GRANT, shall never die
The spacious auditorium of the new Meth
odist church fell far short of accommodating
the vast multitude who were there last Sun
day evening to listen to the last memorial
tribute TO the great soldier, statesman and
citizen whose earthly remains were laid in
the tomb at Riverside park, New York city
last Saturday From o'clock uDtl,
the throng kept pouring in while the
ushers passed them to seats and
packed them il manner to
make room for the greatest num-
Der. Eight o'clock came, the hour an
nounced for beginning the services, but still
they came. Chairs were placed along all the
aisles; the pulpit was crowded. Every spot
where one could sit or stand inside the
church was occupied, while the approaches
| were blocked up with male and female, and
| the space in front of the church, clear out
to the sidewalk, was occupied. Any one
who is in the least skeptical as to our citi-
zens being church-going people ought to
have witnessed that sight. Representatives
of all creeds as well as those of no creed,
were in the congregation.
The church was tastefully, but not elab-
orately, decorated. The front OF the pulpit
was handsomely draped, and at the rear
fine likeness of Gen. Grant, with Grape
frame, while on either side of the pulpit
were flowing folds of drapery artisti-
caly arranged. The magnificent chandeliers
with their heavy chrystal hangings sparkled
like bright stars casting brilliant light over
the vast multitude, all presenting an impress
sive picture.
The following clergymen occupied seats
in the pulpit: Revs. Hodgson, Broad, Har-
| per, Hewitt, Brown, Post, Harmon and
Woods. The choir on the occasion con-
sisted of the Methodist and Presbyterian
choirs combined, led by Mr.. Imboden, and
they filled the church with sacred strains as
the hymn No 762 of the Methodist hymn
book was announced. The choir as whole
| deserves the highest commendation but Mrs.
Ross solo enchanted the whole congregation
Mrs. Ross is the peer of any singer in the
CITY and on this occasion she surpassed her
self
At the conclusion of the hymn, Rev.
| Broad, of the congregational church, offered
a beautiful and pathetic prayer appropriate
| to the occasion, and after anOth-
er hymn was sung Rev. T. S. Hcdgson
| stepped forward, and without text or GER
emony, began the memorial sermon. which
occupied about forty minutes in delivery. 1t
is generally concened to be the ablest effort
made in this city in connection with Grants
| memorial services, and was lintened to
throughout with wrapped attention. and the
congregation only regretted there was not
more of it. 1t was q citing tribute to the
great hero. The leared gentleman traced
the military career of the great chicftain al
Donaldson, at Vicksburg, in the Wilderness.
at Appomattox and at Washington, wher.
unwavering courage and his towering mill
tary genius shone like bright star, and at
Washington, as our chief magistrate, be
stood firm as u rock for the perpetuation OF
the great principles for which he risked hie
life on the battle field, while he exercised
unparalleled clemency to those who were
his foes in that bloody drama. He traced
his career as private citizen, and especially
through the trying ordeal that led up
to the hour of his final battle on Mount Nc
Greggor. The sermon abounded in beauti-
full passages Revs. J. ID. Hewitt of the
Presbyterian church, and w. +. Harper of
the Baptist church, made brief addresses,
and Rev. Harper offered resolution that
Mr.. Hodgson's address be published in the
city papers. which was adopted.