The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-04-25

over lew scenes of bliss and glory for
ever in the heavenly land. Tears of peni-
tence here will change to jewels in the
crown of life there. Signs and groans
from burdened and aching hearts will
there break forth in melody and praise
from the harps of the redeemed hosts.
Those whitened locks, furrowed faces and
suffering frames, will put on the freshness
and vigor of immortal youth. A day will
dawn that will know no clouds or storms
or darkness or terror of night All above,
beneath and around us will be beauty
to the eye, melody to charm the
ear and Joy to the enraptured soul.
1t was beautiful, thrilling, conception
in Grecian mythology that represented
death as sleeping babe in sculptured
marble, with angelic wings and an up
turned face and heavenly radiance on its
brow, waiting the signal for its joyous
flight, to rise above the clouds, the storms
and stars and battle its pinions in the IN
bounded ocean of peace, love and Joy.
In lovely home, on a summers day, and
as golden sunset cast its rays over the
plain, father and husband was taking his
leave of the loved ones around him. "Come
to my grave now and then," said he, "and
my sleeping dust" But do not come in
the autumn time, when clouds veil the sky,
when the winds are signing, and the sefe
and yellow leaf is falling; but come in a
bright and joyous morning of the spring
time, when the flowers bloom, when the
birds carol their sweetest lays and all
nature is jubilant in its Creators praise
As you look at the mound of earth, the
marble shaft, pointing hesvenward, and
at the evergreen flower, budding and
blooming there, look up by faith to the
mansions of bliss and the eternal home,
and remember l am there to greet and
welcome loved ones through the gates into
the Everlasting city.
"How many of our comrades and
from our homes have gone up to
that happy cline. and watch and
wait for our coming! God grant, veterans
and friends, that when life and its strug
giles are over that our immortal spirits,
washed, clesnsed and purified in the blood
of the Lamb, may pass through the gate
into the Everlasting city. There may you
and this assembly meet the immortal
hosts that have gone before US. By the
love of that Redeemer that died to save
us, by the worth of the soul and the joys
of heaven, seek and secure a preparation
of heart and life for that home of love
and peace and joy.
After one of the terrible battles of the
late war a soldier, mortally wounded and
passing through the dark valley in the
silence and gloom of night, exclaimed
now and then, "Here, here!" On being
aroused, he said he dreamed he was fall
ing into line with the redeemed hosts on
the heavenly plains and was answering to
the roll call. Like our comrades before
US, one after another we shall cease to
answer to the roll call in the annual re-
union. Here we meet and mingle together
in joyous assembly, and how soon to
part again! Here it is goodbye, but in
that bright and happy cline, beyond sin
and sorrow and death, it will be good
morning, and joyous morning forever.
AS the roll call shall be heard from rank to
rank, as the shining hosts deploy into
line on the celestial plains, may it be
yours and mine and this assembly to
answer, here am I, redeemed and saved
and happy forever.
AS we look into the face and grasp the
hand of each veteran, the deep emotions
of the heart move US to say, GOD grant
that your last days may be your best days,
and, like golden sunset, after day of
clouds and storms, that it may be bright
est and happiest in its close, and that
yours may be the pathway, the end and
the unceasing bliss of the saved in that
happy land"
The choir then sang the Texan heroes
song, with solos by Miss Seligson and
Mr.. Warner, and the services were con-
cluded with the "Resurrection Anthem"
with solos by Miss Bowers, Mr.. Warner,
Mr.. Galway and Mr.. Stacy.
The musical part of the services were
certainly most interesting feature. The
choruses were full and in perfect harmony,
while the solos disclosed voices, flexible,
clear and very comprehensive, su,h as are
seldom heard outside of professionals. In
fact, the music was rendered in most
artistic manner.
MIR. wooLDRIDGE's REMARKS.
At the conclusion of the services Chair
man A. P. Woodbridge, of the citizens
committee on arrangements, made few
remarks of explanation to the veterans.
He said there had been some misunder
standing in regard to transportation on
the city street railway. The street car
company, he said, rendered the use of
unelr llueb To bne Neberdub Tree VI CudrBe'
Tickets we're in the hands of Colonel
Darden and Mr.. Deffenbaugh for use
on the street car lines, and the veterans
were invited to get them. He called at
tention to the fact that the veterans would
assemble at O'Clock this morning at
Musical Union hall, on West Pecan, for
the parade. He suggested that those who
were unable to march and wished to see
the procession, should go to the hall OF
representatives or the governors recep-
ton room, where good view could be OBJ
tanned. The hall, he said, would be re-
served to-day for the veterans, and the
galleries would be set apart for visitors
He was authorized by the governor to say
that the heads of departments and the
} judges would meet this morning in the
governors reception room for the pur-
pose of rendering reception to the vet
Grams.
tContinued on Tenth Psgel