Wichita eagle., 1886-10-09
POWERS LECTURE.

POWERS LECTURE.
The opera house was crowded last night tC
listen to the address of Rev. F. D. Power
upon Garfield. The speaker paid a mosr
eloquent tribute to the great man whom ht
knew intimately and greatly admired, no.
only as public man but as a christian. Ht
was introduced by Rev. Hendryx and after {
few appropriate Introductory remarks spoke
of the many persons who visit the church oi
which he is pastor in Washington to gaze
upon silver tablet bearing the name of this
truly great man. They look for a moment and
turn away in tears at the recollection of his
great and glorious life. They weep not as
over the death OF q soIdier, a statesman, a
president, but as over all these and more-a
Christian brother, whose crown was good
ness and gcntleness We cannot fiud in his
tery name which could have inspired suc,,
universal sympathy Lincoln did not; Ma
poleon, who had made all Europe tremble at
his power, even his death did not turn so
keenly the hearts of the human race.
Beaconstield, who rose from obscur-
ity to become the leader of the
house Of commons, died not amid such lam
entation. Over Webster's death the nation
did not bow in such reverence, nor over the
great scholar Agassiz. Yet when Garfield
yielded up the ghost there was one outcry of
agony throughout the nation
1t was not his great qualities as an execu-
tive, but his true worth as u man. the high
est type of manhood, a christian.
He received his education in the greatest
of schools, at the feet of good and loving
mother. The lessons taught then remained
with him throughout life, and ever
controlled his acts. Conscience
ruled him always. Men in public
places are less govarned by the admonitions
of conscience than the love of glory. 1t is of
this phase of his character as christian he
| said he would speak.
His ancestors came in the early days to
NewEngland ;he was Saxon, and had deep
and abiding faith in the Teutonic principles
His immediate ancestors came from New
England to the great Northwestern territory
which had been acquired by the state of
Connecticut. To this country with
his ancestors came the people
OF New England; and today
this section is a part of New England three
is the same sturdy and worthy qualities as
distinguish the ancestors
10 north western reserve, then, in 1918
come Abriham Garfield, cleared the woods |
and built hut One day the fire broke out |
and threatened to sweep away his cabin |
he pitched in and worked to save it. he beat |
the devouring flames but at the cost of his
life.
On his death-bed he called his wife to him
ana delivered over to her keeping, the four
children the youngest of whom lived to be-
come our president. No one was more equal
to the task for she was a christian woman.
Winter was upon the little hut; the wolves
stood at the door, and the panthers howled
IN the wilderness food supply grew scant.
and she must limit herself 10 two meals a |
day
Thomas, VINO was but ten years old plough
ed the ground and planted the crops He
soon made some money, now James must
have new pair of shoes said the unselfsh
boy. Then James must have an education, =
Was this unselfshneSs ever unrewar,,.a bv
the youngest!
He was the most sublime example o; sim
plicity in life.
In the summer he worked hard upon the
farm and in the winter ATTENDED the district
school. Here, when eight years of age, he
received new testament as prize. He
read and studied it and thus early in life re-
ceived knowledge in the grand cause. At
eight he hal read ali the books in the neigh
oo-hood; some until he could recite whole
passages from memory. He read them as he
Afterwards worked systematically.
During one of the busies. periods Of his
work in Washington be turned aside
% deliver a speech upon the discoveries
1t Ephesus. II was great efrort.l
de sketched the history of Ephesus and
showed tina. 50 long as she followed the doc
rines of religion she lived, and died waeu
'he deserted them.
The first work he ever did was to cut 100 A.,
'ogds OF wood for S25 He was attracted by ,
he blue writer's OF the lake and commenced .
he life on - canal boat. He loved the water .
md WAS about 70 follow saafaring life {
when he was taken with fever and lay :
olllng upon bed Of sickness. He one night 9
heard his mother praying for him 1t was :
his prayer and the tears os his mother that /,
made man Of him /,
WHIST a blessing is an oid-fashioaed mother