The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-27
OUR GREATEST CHIEFTAIN.
Tributes of Sympathy from the Pulpit
TO the Nations Suffering Hero.
Remarks by Rev. James Mcleod, D. D., Rev.
A. Marine, D. d., Rev. John Alabaster, D.
D., and Rev. J. A. Rondthaler.

In majority of the churches, yesterday. at
either the morning or evening services, in either
the prayer or sermon, mention was made Of
General Grant, and the fact that no has the
prayers and sympathy Of the Nation in his
severe bodily suffering.
The second Presbyterian Church.
At the Second Presbyterian Church, DR..
Mcleod prefaced his sermon with the following
remarks:
General Grant will be sixty-three years old
to morrow. Arrangements have been made in
this city. and in other cities throughout the
United States, to observe this anniversary of his
birth. Such an event is full of significance. and
without anticipating what may be said or done
tomorrow, i. seems eminently BETTING that the
Christian pulpit should refer to it to-day. Gen.
Grant is Americas greatest living chieftain.
For weeks he has been standing on the brink OF
the grave. He is bearing bravey his great
affection. While the whole country is
rejoicing over the change for the
better. which he has recently experienced, yet
it seems like hoping against hope that this
change will be permanent. In ali probability
his sickness is unto death. Hence the sympa-
thy Of the Nation at this time, and hence, too,
the movement to celebrate. in formal and pub
nentiy appropriate. ;.
The origin of this movement is very signlf-
icant. The proposition believe, came from
the South. That fact should bring to General
Grant and to the North peculiar pleasure. The
unparalleled magnanimity which General Grant
exhibited at Appomattox is appreciated in the
South, and the desire of our Southern brethren
to manifest at this time their appreciation Of
his magnanimity, does credit. both to
their heads and to their hearts
The non-partisan character of this
movement is also significant AS it should be,
it is free from the slightest semblance of polit-
ical bias or craftsmanship 1t is to be tribute to
General Grants real worth. 1t Is to do honors
to great patriot. great soldier. a great COM
mander and great conqueror. 1t is to say to
our Nations savior that in his suffering he has
our Nations sympathy. 1t is to assure General
Grant, If he needed any such assurance that
this Nation will never forget her heroic sons;
and, in his hours of solitude and pain, it must
cheer his heart to know, notwithstanding the
fact he has made some sad mistakes, that yet
his name and his fame in safe keeping, and
that he will surely leave behind him something
that not only America, but the world, will not
willingly let die. This is not the time to define
ate the character of General Grant, nor to draw
lessons from his life. This is not his
obituary. God grant the day for that
may be long delayed. But this is the
time when it may be proper to say that, while
two scoundrels took advantage of his simplicity
and inexperience, and accomplished his tinan-
cial ruin; and while, from business point OF
view he is justly chargeable with utter folly
and astonishing credulity, yet his character for
sterling honesty and answering integrity re-
mains not only unimpeached but unimpeachabe.
It is proper to say, further, that had he died be-
fore his robbers were discovered it is altogether
likely that his character like theirs, would have
been disgraced. But in the good providence of
God he has lived to prove to the world that he
is entirely innocent of any partnership in their
guilt.
Some great men have lived too long. They
have grown smaller in the estimation of their
friends as they have grown older. But in the
case of General Graut the reverse is true, for
the longer he lives the more highly is he es-
teemed And whether his days be few or many
this Nation will but honor herself when she
heaps honor upon honor on the head of one of
her noblest sons. While, therefore, his life is
fast ebbing away, the North and the South-the
Union which, under God. he did so much to pre-
serve-wll do well to celebrate this anniversary.
far as am aware made public profession of
his faith in Jesus Christ. That is to say, he has
not formally united himself with any church.
This is cause for regret; but one cannot read of
his great patience and grea5 resignation, and
especially Of his great interest in religious
things and of his expressions Of thankfulness
for prayers offered in his behalf. without being
filled with good hope that he is clinging to
the cross of Christ, and that he is looking to
Jesus for salvation. If this be So it is better
than all else. Andsurely we will all fervently
pray not only that he may be restored to health
If it be the will of God-but. better still, that
when he comes to die he may leave behind him
the cheering testimony that he has fallen asleep
in Jesus.