River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-02-28
HIS PASTORS FAREWELL
Impressive Scene at Church on General
Harrison's Last sabbath in indianapolis
Rev. Dr. Haines' Eloquent Tribute To
the president-EIeet.

Harrisou's Last sabbath in indianapolis
Rev. Dr. Haines' Eloquent Tribute to
the President Elect.
INDlANAPoLIs Feb 5.-president-elect
Harrison spent his last Sunday ia this city,
preparatory to his departure for Washing
ton, IN quiet manner. With his family he
attended services al the church where he
has been worshiper for many years. The
edifice was crowded At the conclusion Of
his sermon, Rev. DR.. Haines, the pastor,
spoke as follows.
Before these services close l can not but
bear IN m nd that which to-day Is prominent
IN the thoughts OF us all-the fact that tn is
the last serv &C prior 20 the departure from
among US OF one who for more than "A
third OF cenGlry has been identified
with this Christian church as "A
member and an oficer. When new members
come 10 our communion We bid them welcome
IN the name OF our God. Certainly Il IS not IN
lifting, when long-tred and honored members
SO out from US for season TO places of infiu-
ence and OF respons bility elsewhere, that we
should tender to them our heartfelt assurance
OF our godspeed
II am sure u would be a grief to the MEM
bers OF ia 5 church were / to fail 10 break
through the silence that has characterized this
pulpit in its relation 10 the peculiar excite
ment OF the last eight months and permit you,
sir who have been so long and so
intimately associated with us here
in Christian life and work, TO 90 out
without one word expressive OF our earnest.
anectonate wish and prayer This is not tae
place nor - time for words Of mere congratu-
lation, however sincere Our sense OF personal
esteem and qualification over your elevation to
the chef Mag istracy OF the Nation is to-day
overshadowed by the necessity OF separation,
and especially Of the sense OF the serious, the
solemn, responsibilities that are TO be laid
upon you-responsiblities which no man on
earth IS qualified TO meet in his own wisdom
and strength. For unto you in no small de-
gree will 1t be given TO influence for veal or
for woe the interests Of 6O,O0o,000 people
You go forth 10 meet these respons Utilities
carrying with you, as you well know, the I'M
waver ng confidence as well as the warm per-
sonal regard OF our fellow Christians. We nave
learned to believe in youth your personal in
tegrity IN your tested established Christian
character. Character is superior to achieve
ment II is itself the highest achievement.
ONCE without character is nothing. We JOY IN
the anticipation that you will exhibit to the
people OF this Nation that browning glory OF
magistrates and sovereigns, genuine, broad
Christian manhood, pure IN its purpose, cath
Ollie IN its spirit Underwriting in ITS loyalty to
duty and to God
I'VE remember th1t 70. are called not only
TO be an example but a leader TO the people OF
this land. When Moses, who as an organizer
ana statesman stands without peer IN all his
tory, received his commiss on from Jehovah as
leader OF the chosen Nation he was overwhelmed
by the sense Of his own weakness and dehcien-
cies. Unto HIM Jehovah then spake and gave
this atl-sutticient assurance: Certainly, VIII
De with thee. The eternal God is the same
yesterday, to-day and forever. May you hear
His voice speaking unto you those very woi DIS
He spake unto the law-giver Of Israel, girding
you for the coming tasks, guarding you from
threatening Oprils
great American Nation forward 10 higher con-
ditions OF freedom and righteousness.
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 and
planted the flag of our country upon the ram
parts CALAMITY won. Now as the leader
and commander of three-score millions of
people, we pray Almighty Col TO grant
unto you strength and courage and WIS
dom TO lead these hosts forward
in the paths OF justice and truth until our
standard shall be planted on the height Of a
God-honoring and therefore enduring prosper
ity. We know that you have set before you
as the pole-star OF your public liie-Uo use
your own words-a patriotic purpose to pro-
mote the true glory ofSonr country and
the highest good OF our people We
glad IN the belief that the ght-
eous hopes inspired by your words and by
YOUR own life among us Will be just fed in days
ton that the coming quadrennium will be
marked by priceless blessings from the Father
OF Mercies conferred upon cur beloved coua-
try through your character and administra-
ton
Il speak for all the members OF this church
when say that we will hold you and yours
tenderly in our hearts and we Will remember
you at the throne OF grace in our prayers, ever
beseechinE that God of nations unto whom our
fathers looked and were lightened to guide you
by His counses, TO shield you by II Prov
ideuce, TO enrich you with heavenly wisdom
and to make you perfect in every good work to
do His Will"
DR.. Haines during the delivery of this
farewell tribute spoke with much feeling
and had the close attention of his large
audience. General Harrison sat with head
slightly bowed as though greatly affected
by the solemnity of the occasion; as also
were Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Mckee At the
conclusion of his remarks the pastor closed
the service with this prayer:
Almighty and everlasting Goa, Heaven is
Thy throne and the earth Thy footstool, and
both Heaven and earth are fun of Thy glory.
Thou alone art the sovereign Ruler Of all ma
tons. Thou givest the kingdoms OF the world
to whomsoever Thou wilt. Thou workest
all things after the counsel of Thy
will We beseech Thee now 20 take into
hast called TO be the Chief Magistrate OF this
people. Endow HIM plenteOusly with the gifts
OF Thy spirit. Let Thy wisdom be his guide.
Let Thine arm be his strength. Direct MIN
in all his couusels and actions TO shy
glory and to the welfare of this land,
that through him justice and truth
and peace may abound that from him,
and those associated with him in authority
there may go out influences TO develop the
highest interests of our Nation aud to build
up in yet nobler way Christian civilization
that shall be a bened ction 10 generations yet
unborn. And together with thy servant re-
gard, we pray Thee, all the ombers Of his
household Keep them under the shadow Of
Thy wings Crown their lives with the bless
ings OF Thy Providence and Thy grace AZ
they go forth from us our Heavenly Father we
commit them into Thy care. We make this
our prayer VIII Thou, Lord, make Thy face
TO shine upon them and be gracious unto them
wilt Thou Lord, lift up the light of Thy
countenance upon them and give them peace.
and now, unto HIM who is able to do exceed
ing abuEdantly above all that we ask or think,
be honor and glcry through Jesus Christ for
ever and ever. amen
As the congregation arose from the
prayer-offerng many handkerchiefs were
visible and the older members of the church
were particularly affected Just before dis
missing his congregation DIR. Haines asked
them all to rise and join in singing "Our
Native Home" to the tune of America . and
the words of the hymn We're sung with so
much pathos that hundreds of the audience
We've affected To tears and both General and
Mrs Harrison We're yisibly affected