Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-08-05

L
know and feel very grateful TO the Christian
people of the land for their PRAYERS on my
behalf There is no sect or religion as shown
in the Old or New Testsments to which this
does not apply. Catholics, Protestants and
jews, and all the good people of all nations.
OF all politics as well as religions, and all
nationalities seem TO have united in wishing
or praying for my improvement. | am a
great sufferer all the time, but the facts you
have related are compensation for much of II.
All that can do is TO pray that the prayers
OF all these good people may be answered so
far as 20 have US meet in another and better
world.
July s, 1885. u. S. GRANT"
In private, unseen life, he bore many of
the fruits OF the spirit He loved his enemys.
not as he loved his friends, but he loved them
as enemies by doing them good as he had op-
portunity. OF all men known in a pastoral
experience of 80 years, he displayed the
spirit Of forgiveness more than any other
man. He caught the spirit OF the Savlour's
prayer Father forgive them they know
not what they do" There is one high in of
fetal 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 man of
proud and sensitive spirit, he sighed for rec
oncilliation. Would the President forgive
the offence and call on the sick? snxiouslv
asked intrusted friends. A suggestion from
me that ii would be christian act to cali
sufficient. The call was made the sick man
revived; and old friendship was restored
And, rising to a magnanmity worthy a saint,
h. would not Withhold an honor due, even
from those who had done him wrong. Who
does not regret the death of such a man? +?
Heaven may be richer, but earth is poorer
On one of those delusive April days when
hope revived in all our hearts, said to him
"lou are man of Providence God made
you the instrument to save our nation, and
he may have spiritual mission to accom-
plish by you, and may raise you up" In the
most solemn and impressive manner. with a
mind clear and a voice distinct, he replied ::
Il do not wish to proclaim it. but, should he
spare my life, it is my intention and resolve
to throw all my influence by my example in
that direction.
He is gone, but shall death defeat a pur-
pose so beneticient? Is he not mighter 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 suf-
fering How the embers of sectional strife
have died out on the hearthstone of the ma
ton. How political animosities have skulked
away in shame from the peaceful spirit of
his last moments! How young men of the
republic realized that life was worth living
when they felt the touch of his great soul
How the little children of the nation united
his name with that of her and mother in
their purer prayers, and opened the tablets of
H. A.
life and character. And wherever he had
touched the circuit of the earth there came
from Japan, China and India, from the tenn
piles of Jerusalem and the Pyamids of
Egypt, from Attic plains and ancient Troy,
from the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.
from the Danube and the Rhine, from the
Seine and the Thames. the voice of love that
made men all akin. Oh who would not even
dare to die to do so much for mankind? And
this was his consolation. When near his end
he sought to cheer that precious woman who
loved him as her life "You ought to feel
happy under any circumstances. MY ex-
pected death called forth expressions of sim
cerest kindness from the people, of all sec
tions of the country. The confederate SOL
dier Wed with the Union soldier in sounding
my praise. The Protestant, the Catholic and
the Jew appointed days for universal prayer
in my behalf. All societies passed resOlu-
tions of sympathy for me and petitions that
might recover. 1t looked as if my sickness
had had something to do to bring about har-
mony between the sections. The attention
of the public has been called to your children,
and they have been found to pass muster.
Apparently have accomplished more while
apparently dying than it fell to the lot of
most men to be able to do" Oh, LET me
die the life of the righteous, and let my last
end be like this ~
In the early light of April /, when all
thought the end was come, the sufferer said
to me: doctor / am going" 81 hope the
prospect of the future is clear and bright"
was my response, and the answer came
eyes oh. yes!" Then followed a scene of
infinite tenderness. The honored wife, the
precious daughter, the devoted sons and their
wives each in turn approached, and he tend
erly kissed them. "Do you know me darl-
ing?" was the loving wife's inquiry, and he
whispered back, Certainly do. and bless
you with all my heart" Such love melted
the marble heart of death, and the king of
terrors" fled afrighted. The sufferer re-
vived. Heaven added months to life so
dear to US all. When he had recovered suf-
iciently, asked him: ''What was the su-
preme thought on your mind when eternity
VI
sciousness that had tried to live a good and
honorable life" was the response which re-
vealed the hidden life of his soul. Again the
angel of death cast his shadow over the one
a nation loved. Amid the gathering gloom !
said "You have many awaiting you on the
other side
II wish they would come and not linger
long" was the answer of his Christian faith
and hope. They came at last. They came
to greet him with the kiss of immortality
They came to escort the conqueror over the
last enemy" to a coronation never seen en
thrones earthly power and glory. Who camel
His martyred friend. Lincoln? His compan-
ion in arms, McPhersons His faithful chief
of staff, Raw Inns? His great predecessor in
camp and cabinet, Washington? And did not
all who had died for liberty come? o, calm,
brave, heroic soul, sing thou the song of
christian triumph; 20, death, where is
thy sting; o, grave, where is thy victory?
Thanks be TO God, which giveth us the VIC
tory, through Jesus Christ, our Lord
And that victory was at hand. From his
view on Monday at the easter outlook he was
to ascend to behold grander vision. Tues
day came and went. Night drew on apace,
and death seemed imminent Around his
chair we knelt in prayer fer some divine man.
Hesitation of comfort. Our prayer was heard.
The sufferer revived. Again he wrote mes
sages of love and wisdom. The night wore
away. Wednesday dawned on hill and dale
Hope revived. His intellect was clear and
l.