The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-03-02
A Memorable Scene.

| IUtO Ilo OcpnttuiO W tAoouhO thO
Presidency was notable day to the
pastor and the members of his church
the First Presbyterian. When the
hour for beginning the services ar.
rived not a seat was vacant in the
large temple and the aisles were
crowded with visitors. chairs having
been brought in from the Sunday
School rooms.
General Harrison. accompanied by
Mrs. Harrison and Mr.. and Mrs.
Mckee, were among the early arriy-
ais. A special musical programme
had been arranged for the occasion.
At the conclusion of his sermon prop
er. the Rev. M. L. Haine spoke as
follows. addressing himself to the
distinguished member of his congre.
CATION "Before these services
close. cannot but bear in mind that
which to-day is prominent in the
thoughts of US all-the fact that this
10 the last service prior to the de.
parture from among US of one who
for more than the third of a century
has been identified with this Chris
tian church as member and an Off q.
Ger, Our sense of personal esteem
and of qualification over your cleo.
ton to the chief magistracy of the
Nation Is to-day overshadowed by
the necessity of separation, and es-
pecially of the sense of the serious,
the solemn responsibilities which no
man on earth is qualified to meet in
his own wisdom and strength. For
unto you In no small degree will it
be given to influence for veal or for
woe the interests of sixty millions of
people. You go forth to meet these
responsibilities carrying with you.
as you we'll know, the unwavering
confidence as well as the warm per-
sonal regard of your fellow Christ
ians. We have learned to believe in
YOU in your personal integrity, in
your tested, established Christian
character. Character is superior to
achievement. 1t Is In itself the high.
est achievement. Office without
character is nothing. We joy in the
anticipation that you will exhibit to
the people of this Nation that crown.
ing glory of magistrates and sover.
eigns, genuine. broad, Christian
manhood. pure in its purpose, catho-
lie in its spirit, undertaking in its
loyalty to duty and to God. In the
stormy days of our civil war we re.
call that in the charge on the field of
battle once and again you led the
ranks forward aud planted the flag of
our country upon the ramparts gal.
lantly won. Now as the leader and
commander of three score millions of
people we pray Almighty God to
grant unto you strength and cour-
age and wisdom to lead these hosts
forward In the paths of justice and
truth until our standard shall be
planted on the height of a God hon.
oring and therefore enduring pros.
perity. We know that you have set
before you as the pole star of your
public life to use your own words,
"a patriotic purpose to promote the
true glory of our country and the
highest good of our people,
II speak for all the members of
this church when say that we hold
you and yours tenderly in our hearts
and we will remember you at the
throne of grace in our prayers, ever
beseeching that God of nations unto
whom our fathers looked and were
lighted to guide you by his counsels,
to shield you by His providence, to
enrich you with heavenly wisdom.
and to make you perfect in every
good work and to do His will"
DIR. Haines. during the delivery of
his farewell tribute. spoke with much
feeling, and had the rapt attention
of his large audience.
General Harrison sat with head
slightly bowed as though greatly af-
fected by the solemnity of the occas-
ion, as was Mrs. Harrison and Mrs.
Mckee.
Just before dismissing the congre.
cation DR.. Haines asked them all TO
raise and join in singing "Our Native
Home" to the tune of "America,"
and the words of the hymn were rem.
dered with so much pathos that hun.
dreds of the audience were affected to
tears aud both General and Mrs.
Harrison were viFbly affected. AS
the congregation passed out all the
members of the church ana many
who were not members fiocked over
to where General and Mrs. Harri.
son were standing near the side en-.
trance and bid them good bye. The
occasion was one that called forth all
the feelings of the General and his
old associates, and many of the fare.
I IL