The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-30

viii be well for all the people to remember, especially
in the heat of political contests. that our national life
aud security rests. in a great degree. to opposing po-
litical forces. There are two or three characteristics
in the life of our deceased Vice-president l would
like TO mention. First among these is his early career.
While reared in a pleasant and cultured home, yet he
began his very %eventful career without that hnlshed
collegiate education which most young men believe
utterly indispensable to their highest attalnments as
scholars and statesmen. But here Is one who, by
persistent energy and indomitable Will, made for
himself an enviable position among the greatest
statesmen and scholars of the world Again,
let US look at him as a statesmen. AS such
he adhered to his convictions amidst the greatest and
most trying opposition. NO matter as to whether ms
views of the administration of public affairs
was right or wrong. his faithful adherence
to them makes him a greater man IN
who has convictions of right and duty, and courage
to live them out, viii make his influence felt through
out the world. Again, let us consider his hfe as a
lation. He was public spirited-ready for every GOOD
word and work that would advance the interests of
his his adopted pi;a city and State. He moved among
suavity of manner which caused the good to court his
favor, and the lowly to feel at home in his presence.
In support of this last point, l will relate a little Incl
dent which came under my own observation. A few
months ago, while coming to the city on a Big -Four
train, noticed Mr.. Hendricks seated in one of the
coaches. lie was chatting pleasantly to a party OF
friends and politicians who surrounded him. In the
midst of the conversation a working man, begrimed
with dust, and with his dinner pail on his arm. APP
preached the party, and, introducing himself, shook
hands with Mr.. Hendricks, who seemed to take
pleasure in making the man feel as if he had known
him all his lifetime. 1t was by these little acts, in
significant in themselves, that Mr.. Hendricks kept his
hold upon the masses.
CHRIST CHURCH.
DR.. Bradley preached a sermon appropriate
to the day, Advent Sunday, on the word
Watch" The thought was the practical re-
suits in life and character, from earnest medita-
ton upon the second coming of Christ, The day
nf death 10 uirfualiv tho iudopapt dav Tho
Bible says very little about preparation for
death, but it constantly exhorts men to live
righteously, because 1.-THE Jut-e standeth at the
door, DR.. Bradley here introduced the death of
the Vice-president as an illustration, saying that
he was suddenly called, in the midst of his pub
lie lite, just having written a letter recommend
ing a candidate for an Office. He further said:
His record was complete. and his case made up
as fully as if Wednesday, the 25th day of Novem.
Der, had been the day of dgme emit. Preparation for
the final hearing before Christ, the Judge of al, the
earth, includes the preparation for death. 1t is an i'm
inense satisfaction to reflect that Mr. Hendricks's rec
ord was good; that in these days of sinful public men
his Christian principles were strong enough to keep
pure. A white record in the book OF judgment is
the only thing worth living for. The American peo-
pie need to learn this truth. The Nation has reached
a noble condition of stability. The government
rests upon the mighty will of the people. At this
juncture but one life, the life of President Cleveland,
stands between a change back again to a Republican
~headship. If the President dies suddenly like Mr..
Hendricks, or is murdered like Garfield, the new head
will be placed in power by the votes OF
sts Ssn Movement WITHOUT Of the Sh2 Sation' to l fhs
This Is the majesty of our government. The Gar of
Russia is killed and there is no change of dynasty.
The heir takes the reins of power. Ii a Charles the
First is beheaded there is a Charles the Second to be
restored, after the experiment of the commonwealth.
Here, without a royal family, the royalty of the peo-
pie places the mantle of supreme power where it will,
and the minority assents in q%uietness. Underneath
this dignity and franchise, to insure permanence and
public men, righteousness, and obedience to divine
law. This day, Gods day, must be kept holy, and
Gods will, which always orders for the peoples good,
must be made the rule of the peoples lives.
F-LETCHER-PLACE NJ. E. CHURCH.
Rev. j.. A. Sargent, of Fletcher place M. E.
Church, at his morning service, yesterday, took
for his text: 'For what is your life" The part
abiding particularly to the death of Vice-presi-
dent Henricks is as follows:
This text was suggested by the sad and sudden
bereavement that has fallen upon our city, and State,
and Nation in the death of our honored and lamented
citizen, the Vice-president of these United States, the
Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks. The place he held in the
statesman and as a Christian gentleman, is seen by
the tokens of bereavment on the public and private
bui ldings throughout the entire Nation, as we'll as the
kind words spoken by societies., organizations
lences received by the stricken, bereaved widow.
Let US, as we stand this day in the presence of this
sacred remains of our honored citizen, drop tears of
deep sympathy with, and lift our hearts in prayer
for her who this day is in the midst of deepest be-
reavement. Thomas A. Hendricks, as a husband, was
a model for all public IS we'll as private men.
His honesty, his integrity, his quiet Christian life
were things worthy of us all to initiate. AS a public
servant, he was all we could expect. He set an ex.
ample of public honesty that would do we'll for all
public men to initiate. We bow to this sad and sud
den national bereavement, and would learn lessons
from his character and the teachings of our text.
Our i~llustrious citizen is not dead. he has simply
fallen asleep; he lives and acts, but not here, but yon-
der, where the spirit is freed from the burden Of it's
clay. Thus, as we view ourselves in.connection with
the life beyond us, we can realize its great impor.
lance. May our idea of the Importance of human life
be more and more what it ought to be, as we medi-
tate upon its brevity, and realize it's value as taught
in Gods word. And may we at last attain unto the
home of many mansions prepared for US by our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.
STREET NJ. e. CHURCH.
At Meridian-stree NJ. E.. Church, yesterday
morning, DR.. Gilbert, the pastor, made the
death of Mr.. Hendricks the occasion for enforc-
ing some wholesome truths concerning life and
duty, taking for his text, "Well done. good and
faithful servant" etc. He disclaimed, at the
outset, any purpose to eulogize the deceased, or
even attempt an analysis of his character. or
sketch of his lfe-work-a task for which he was
wholly unprepared. But, he said:
The death of such an ~illustrious citizen is an event
which ought to be improved by the minister in calling
to mind some lessons which men are slow to learn.
There is, first of all, that oft-repeated homilv on the
uncertainty of human life, and the changeableness of
all earthly things. Seemingly healthy and hopeful one
day, laying plans for the future, man lies the next day
in his coffin. There is also the fact that a mans work
is not done at death. The Doctor showed how MIR.
Hendricks, by his actions, thoughts and speech will be
a potent influence in the years to come, both in
State and national politics. So every man in
a larger or smaller sphere sets in motion
forces that affect coming generations. More
over, a man is not truly honored until death. During
life there is the enmity or jealousy engendered by un.
~avoidable conflict, or the affection of personal friend
ship. But in subsequent years, when all the circum-
stances are considered, and the results of a life appear
in their true light, genuine honor comes in the verdict
of a thoughtful posterity. e~xclaiming: We'll done,
good and faithful servant
The remainder of the discourse was given to exhibit
the truth that after death man must stand before his
God. The high and the low, the ruler and the ruled
must meet their record; and the supreme concern of
every soul should be to receive in that hour the
plaudit of the text. That is q true lie concerning
which the man, his fellows and his God can say,
well done"