The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-12
Simply-Phrased but Eloquentand Beau
tiful Sermon by Cardinal Gibbons.
The Procession through the Streets and the
Military Honors at the Grave. Where the
Bugle Sounds the Last "Good Night"
THE LAST RITES.
A Touchipg'y- Beautiful Sermon-The Mill
tary Honors at the Grave.

dead were to-day perfected according to the
ordinances Of the Roman Catholic Church for
Philip Henry Sheridan. General of the armies of
the United States, and his body was laid to rest
in beautiful Arlington. the city Of the soldier
dead. The event was marked by general sus-
pension of public business. The ceremonies
throughout were in keeping with the character
of the man. The strict adherence TO almost
unmilitary simplicity In oil the arrangement,
the heavy wheeled artillery casson for his
hearse, the procession of single thousand erect
and sturdy soldiers who had seen service. best
beftted the closing scenes in the life of
so great q soldier ST. Matthews Church,
where the remains of General Sheridan had lain
in state since Thursday afternoon. and where
the principal burial services were held. is an
ancient sdifce Of modest proportions. with stuc-
coed exterior walls. and but for its classic pill
Jared front would attract little attention from
stranger. But in it worship many whose names
are illustrious in history. 1t is the most popu-
lar Catholic Church 10 Washington, and for
many years it has numbered among its COM
municants the members Of many of the foreign
legations resident here. Cabinet ministers, SEN
ators and Representatives in Congress. The in
terror OF tho church is in keeping with the ex-
terror. plain and unpretentious.
At 9 o'clock the doors of the church were
thrown open. and such of the large crowd as
sembled outside as had received tickets of ad-
mission, were permitted to enter. They were
conducted to their seats by a corps of aids in
full military uniforms, under the direction of
Col John NJ Wilson. of the corps of engineers.
ao<. haA has A. for oir
tanning order outside of tho church. and de-
tachment of policemen were stationed at the
door for that purpose. These were afterward-
supplemented by . squad Of soldiers. Some
time before the ceremonies commenced. car
risges bearing the members of the diplomatic
corps. the joint committee Of Congress, Ssna-
tors aud Representatives in Congress, began to
arrive, and the body OF the church speedily
filled. Among the prominent persons noted
were Senators Ingalls,. Edmunds, Evarts. Hoar,
Dawes. Jones of Nevada. Dolph, Hale, Allison,
Sawyer. Chandler. Farweli and wife, Justice
Harlan and wife. Solictor-general jerks, and
the commissioners Of the Distrios
At about 9:30 the pail bearers, headed by Gen.
Sherman. in full uniform. entered a. the left OF
the catafalque. Soon after the joint committee
Of Congress appeared and was conducted to
seats reserved for them in front and to the
right of the catsfalque. four of thsm occupy
ing General Sheridans pew. They wore white
sashes. and were headed by Senators Gray and
Hampton. and among them were the ex-confed-
crates, Gen. Joseph Wheeler, Of Alabama. and
one armed Gen. Charles E. Hooker. of Missis-
sippi About 9:40 the President and Mrs Glove.
land and Secretaries Fairchild and Villas came
in and took seats in the front pew on the right
Of the center aisle and just in front of the rear
of the chairs which had been provided for them,
and which remained unoccupied during the GER
emouies. Mrs. Folsom. Secretary Bayard and
Postmaster general Dickinson followed. and
were seated in the vicinity. About Ave minu tes
after the presidential party had been seated,
Mrs Sheridan arrived and was escorted to her
seat at the left OF and near the casket She
was deeply yelled, and leaned upon the arm of
Colonel Sheridan. They were accompanied by
General and Mrs. Rucker and son, Miss Rucker,
John Sheridan. the Generals brother. and his
wife
Meanwhile the diplomatic co-ps many of them
attired in full court dress. had been seated on
the extreme right and front Of the church. The
DR.. Lincoln. who was several times called in
consultation during the Generals illness; Col.
Blunt and Col. Kellogg. Of General Sherdan's
stat, occupied seats the left of the main aisle
and Immediately in the rear of Mrs. Sheridan.
The rear Of the church was occupied by a large
number of members of Congress and officers of the
army and navy and public officials. The wide gal
leriss and all available seats 10 the church were
occupied before the burial service began Large
wreaths, crosses and baskets of beautiful flow
srs. the gifts Of the Grand Army, Loyal Legion.
and other organizations, and friends, filled the
open spaces In front of the affairs.
At 10 o'clock twenty-five acolytes entered
from the sacristy, and, filing right and left, took
seats beside the black -palled catafalaue. They
were followed by eight Dominicans wearing
heavy bis,k and white habits and ten surpliced
priests chanting "The Miserere." At the con-
clusion Of this service Fathers Ryan, Kervick
and Mackin, the deacon. sub-deacon and the
celebrant Of the mass, entered the sanctuary.
They were followed by the Right Rev. John p.
Foley. bishop-elect Ct Detroit. and two priests
Cardinal Gibbons was the last to enter. He
wore led cassock white surplice and purple
cap, with q long gold chain supporting the
pectoral his breast and the red ''zucceta'
upon his head. Kneeling at the altar. he offered
. prayer, and. taking his seat on the throne. the
celebration Of the solemn requiem mass was be-
gun. In accordance with the request of Mrs.
Sheridan. the Schimdt mass. one of the simplest
in musical composition, was sung by the church
choir with organ accompaniment At the offer
tory the 90 Christi Salvador Mundi" was sung.
The ceremony occupied forty minutes. When
it was concluded Cardinal Gibbons ascended the
pulpit and began the sermon The text was:
And Jonathan and Simon took Judas. their brother,
and buried him in the sepulchre of their fathers in
the city of Modin. And all the people of Israel be
walled him with great lamentaion; and they morne
for him many days, and said: How is the mighty
fallen that saved the people OF Israel Maccabees,
il, 1921"
The Cardinal said
'Well might the children OF Israel bewail their
great captain. who led them so often TO battle
and to victory. And well may this Nation erieve
for the loss Of the mighty chieftain whose NOR
| tai remains now lie before ue. In every city,
and town, and village OF the country, from the
Atlantic TO the Pacific. his name is uttered with
sorrow and his great deeds recorded with ad
miration. There is one consoline feature that
| distinguishes the obsequies of our iustrious
hero from those OF the great Hebrew leader
| He was buried in the midst of war, amid the
| clssninR OF arms and surrounded by the armed
hosts Of the enemy; our captain. thank God. il