The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-03-17


and uplifting presence? And these quail
ties Joined to his rare oratorical gifts
made him almost peerless on the plat
form and in the pulpit. Who that has
heard him can ever forget the tones of
that magnificent voice. whose organ mel
ody in prayer seemed to be echoed in
heaven, and whose utterances when pro-
claiming the truths of religion, and en-
forcing the claims of duty, or when he
was pouring the balm of consolation into
wounded hearts, was not better? Who
that ever saw him as he stood IN some
great audience. inspired by some great
theme and occasion, an incarnation of
Christian love and truth, was not lifted
into higher realms? The rare COM
bination of voice, manner, and personal
character, recognized and felt by all
who heard him, reinforced all he said,
and gave to his words a power that few
men ever welded, and weight of inf1u-
ence with the general public such as per
haps no other man in this great city has
possessed. I have known men with
greater scholastic acquisitions, or more
endowed with literary abilities, who
might perhaps be called greater orators
though but few of the latter-but I
have never known the man, who, on the
platform, in the pulpit, in the deliberat-
i've assembly could speak with such uni
form weight and suasion, and whose
words penetrated 80 powerfully and far
to affect the souls of men for good. And
this, because added to his abilities as
thinker and speaker, every nearer and
all who knew him could look through
what he said, to the man, the good man
behind the words,-because of the genu-
inc personality that stood back of the
spoken words, and gave them their force.
More than once L have conversed with
those who dis scented from DR.. Ryder's
views of religion, but who were enthusi-
astic in extolling his character and work,
and they have said it must be that he
was unconsciously touched and influence
ed by other sentiments, than those for
which he stood. And I have rejoiced
to say that aside from his intellectual and
oratorical gifts by as much as he impress
ed men with the presence of truly re-
ligious man, Christian gentleman
by rs much as he was mighty factor for
good, and blest the community, and won
the love and admiration of others, it was
because OF his greater fidelity to his faith,
his fuller appreciation of it's transcendent
worth, his deeper insight into it, his utter
surrender to it's sway, his unfaItering
illustration Of its principles on his heart
and life, his mind and character, because
he more tx an most, was able to incarn-
ate the very soul and spirit of his relig-
ion, and presented it nearly unrefracted
to the world. DR.. Ryder was what many
a man might be, did he allow his faith so
unreservedly to shape and modulate his
character and life.
such distinguished abilities till among
the living, his became the widest known
and most representative name in its
communion, pours her tears to-day a
hbation to his memory, and experiences
a sense of bereavement akin to that
which fills the hearts in the home bereft
by his departure, but she can look
through her tears with devout thankful
ness to God that such life was conse-
Grated to her service; that it was not
called away until his name was imperish
ably engraved in her annals, not until
he had bequesthed priceless legacy to
his family, his church and mankind.
As carefully scan his life, after forty
four years of personal acquaintance, 1
thank God that 1 can see in the noble
career that has now ended on earth, an
unvarying and distinguished success in
every pastoral relation, notably in st.
Paul's, Chicago; inestimable services to
his church East, West and Midst; brilliant
and abundant labors for his country dur
ing her perilous years in her struggle for
existence; such rich contributions in ed
vocational, charitable, moral and retorma-
tory movements, and in all that pertains
to the welfare of the city in which he dwelt
for almost generation, one of it's most
useful, honored and distinguished citi-
zens; business qualifications that gave him
high rank in community crowded with
citizens eminent in civic pursuits; great
abilities in many directions where equal
success in one sphere is uncommon; and
above all the conservation of his large ge-
MUS to the welfare of mankind, making all
else subservient to good ends; subordinat-
ing all to the moral and religious; spot.
less example, a name unblemished, and
honorable in every sphere he entered,-
these render his memory precious to
his family, his church, the community,
and record his name in the archives of
the city, the church, the country, as one
of those that will be held in long and
loving remembrance.
When such men die change of worlds
makes little change of condition. They
only enter upon larger opportunities,
wider fields of effort; they pass hence
through the open door of life without so
much as the lifting of latch, only
step out of tent already luminous with
light that shines through it's transparent
walls"