The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-19

rh,rch and for so many years Mr..
Colfax,s pastor and intimate friend delivered
Aha funeral address from the words IN Daniel x,
NJ. "a man greatly beloved After touching
all,,s;on to the fact that on the 18th day of
August, 1872. he had preached in that place the
funeral sermon the remains of Mrs.
Matthews. Mr. Colfax's mother and that seven
teen months after-just eleven years ago today
he had preached the sermon the dead
body Of Mr.. Matthews, who, s,r all his remem
bered lfe had been father to Mr.. Colfax, Mr..
Williamson proceeded to such review of the
life of the ex-Vice president as only one who
was intimate with him and admired and loved
him could make. He said, in allusion to his
public career
1--WE are not about to attempt the portraiture
of a perfect man. Schuyler Colfax was man,
and so, imperfect He was a thoroughly manly
and honest man, and so, realized and deplored
his imperfections, and depended on the atone
ment of Jesus Christ for their forgiveness and
ON the grace Of the Holy Spirit for their re-
moval And here, once for all, | will say in ref
erence TO the only but grave, attack made on his
integrity, which was III the matter of the Credit
Mobiiier that he was serenely and thoroughly
conscious of his perfect integrity before God ana
man; and that my knowledge of the facts Is
such as TO make me absolutely sure that when
the secrets of men are revealed in the glare OF
Gods holiness on the great day of Judgment, 1T
will be seen that the Great Judge knows it to be
So Another of his innocent fellow sufferers,
the sainted Garfield who fell by the bullet
of tie assassin. Guiteau, in the railroad depot IN
Washington, as he fell by the kindlier arrow of
disease in the railroad depot at Mankato, said
to him in words that feel free TO repeat since
they are both dead Mr.. Colfax, my first
thought after my nomination to the presidency
in Chicago, was of YOU They are now rejoic-
ing together in blessed country, where the
Satan of Calumny can never reach them; and
where they have washed their robes from all
actual sins and imperfections. and made them
white in the blood of the Lamb"
Mr. Williamson characterized Mr.. Colfax as
genial man. a man of answering principle
generous man. a versatile man, studious man,
an honored man, a useful man. an eloquent
man With reference to his devotion to princi-
Pile, Mr. Williamson said:
When he was told that the attempt To carry
mis- temperance principles into Washington so
ciety would injure his social standing, he re-
Piled by making his total abstinence receptions
the most popular of all When he was menaced
with political ostracism for enforcing the con-
gressiOna laws against the drinking room, he
enforced them. and bravely took the conse-
euences in the defeat of his second nomination
for the vice presidency. And in the parior or
+. Nicholas Longworth the great wine king OF
Cincinnati, he could walk across the immense
room to give his hand in copgratulation to
grandson of the owner of the grand mansion who
had followed his own example In declining
glass of wine"
In concluding his very beautiful discourse,
Mr. Williamson said:
HE was strongly tempted to remain at home,
to attend the funeral of lifelong friend, but
his word was pledged for lecture appointment,
and he was intent on keeping his pledge And
as we know, before the funeral service was held,
about which he had left note of explanation
sir hat hfcn I'll
friend in the land where there are no funerals
He was tempted to remain at home and accept
the invitation of another long time and valued
friend. to attend the marriage OF his son. But,
wanting to be found waiting the appearing of
his Lord in obedient activity, he went toward
bis appointment; aud we know before the
time came for that festivity-now postponed, out
of respect for his memory-he was sitting
down at the marriage supper of the Lamb in
heaven. And his friends in the capital city of
our State found, when they had just elected
him to a position of trust that this obedient
servant of the Lord had already been called to
position of higher trust in the capital city OF the
universe"
by the permissive and directive prov-
dence of God tlet us not needessly distress our
selves about what we did, or did notdO), the arctic
wave and the warm hearted man and Christian
who was prepared for his sudden decease, and
was expecting it, are advancing to meet each
other. AS they get nearer and nearer together,
hear the Redeemer of this loved immortal say:
Father will that they also whom Thou hast
given me, be with me where L am, that they may
behold my glory See the invisible troops of
.miuistering spirits sent forth to minister unto
the heirs of salvation, hasting forward. Asthe
arctic wave and the living man get nearer each
other, see the angels of light and glory drawing
nearer And at the instant the work OF the ice
king--who. in another form, seizes on every one
Of us at the final moment-becomes complete
hear the song of the angels, as they begin their
missions of love-
prisoner, long detained below,
Prisoner with freedom blest
Welcome from world of woe,
Welcome to a land of rest!
Finally as the favored pastor of Schuy
Ter Colfax for so many years, must now say,
FAREWELL noble man, parishioner and Christian
friend whose heart has been so true, and
whose lips have never uttered one unkind word,
but have spoken so many words OF cheer fare
we'll, until we meet in the land of the ransomed,
where the God of mercy grant that you may by
and by have all your own family with you, an
unbroken band, that we may together praise the
Father and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, for
ever and ever. Amen and AmenP'
At the close of the discourse, Rev. W. G.
Larned, of the Baptist Church, offered prayer,
the choir followed with number, and the
services closed with o benediction by Rev. E.
W. Bower, of the Christian Church
The musical part of the services was in charge
of Mr.. L. Il. Skerritt for long time Mr..
Colfax's private secretary and business agent,
who presided at the organ, tie St James quar-
tes, Messrs r. H. Lyon. j. E. Mills d. S
Marsh and r. Fl. Duey, doing the singing The
music used was, in accordance with the special
request of the family, of very plain character,
the hymns, being special favorites of the de-
ceased-''Nearer my Lord to Thee" to the tune
of Bethany, and asleep in Jesus to the tune of
Rest. The other selections were the familiar
burial chant. Lord let me know my end and
the number of my days." also the Nunc Dimittis,
"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in
1eace," softly chanted after prayer. and Bliss
sweetest hymn.