Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-02-25
GOD SPEED.
Touching Scene in an ladianan-
oils Presbyterian Church.
The Occasion Gen. Harrison's Depart
ure From the Fold Where He la
bored Third OF Century.
Rev. n l. Haines Dwells Upon the Christian
Character of the President Elect-The
Divine Blessing Invoked.
LAST DAY AT HOME

| LAST DAY AT HOME.
indianapolis, ND, Feb. "a .--Presi-
dent-eiect Harrison's last Sabbath at
home before his departure to assume the
presidency was notable day to the pas
tor and members of his church. The
First Presbyterian church began to fiji
immediately after the doors were opened
this morning and at the hour for begin
ming services not q seat was vacant in the
large temple, and the aisles were
crowded with visitors. chairs having
been brought in from the Sunday-sc
rooms. Gen. Harrison accompanied by
Mrs. Harrison and Mr. and Mrs Mckee,
were among the early arrivals and all
eyes were turned on the distinguished
party as they sought their accustomed
seats. A special musical programme had
been arranged for the occasion, the choir
being re-enforced by several good voices
and the rendition of the anthem at the
opening was unusually effective. A quar-
|. tette then gave the beautiful hymn, The
Shepherds Watch Their Flocks by Night -
and Mrs. W. j F. Hammond rendered
solo, ''Nearer, Ny God to Thee. Rev.
NJ. L. Haines took for his text ''The
Divine Presence - quoting from the last
clause of Acts xvii, ~: Though He be
not far from everyone of us, for IN Him
we live and move to have our being. -
From these historic words spoken by
PAUL AT MARS HILL
| the reverend doctor discoursed on the
| ever presence of divine power, At the
| conclusion of his sermon proper he spoke
as follows:
'sBefore these services close l cannot
but bear in mind that which to-day Is
prominent in the thoughts of us all, the
fact this is the last service prior to the
departure from among us of one who for
more than a third of A century has been
identified with this Christian church as a
member anu an officer. When new
members come to our community we bid
them welcome in the name of our God
Certainly it is not uniting when long
long and honorary members go out from
us for season
70 PLACES OF INFLUENCE
and OF responsibility otherwise, that we
should tender them the heartfelt assur-
ance of our God speed. l am sure it
weTsld be grief TO the members of this
church were l to fail to break through
the silence that has perEaded this pulpit
in its relation to the peculiar
excitements of the last eight months
and permit you, sir, who have been
so long and so untimely associated with
us here in Christian life and work 10 go
out without one word expressive of our
earnest affectiO1ate wish and prayer.
This is not the place nor time for words
of mere congratulation however, since
our sense of personal esteem and of graf
ifcation over your election to the chief
80 ~
Swallowed by
THE NECESSITY OF SEPARATION,
and especially by the sense of the serious,
solemn responsibilities that are to be laid
on your shoulders, which no man on
earth is qualified TO meet in his own wis
dom and strength. For unto you, in no
small degree. will it be given to influence
for veal or for woe the interests of 60 >
600 900 people. Yeu go forth to meet these
responsibilities carrying with you, as you
wei know, the unwaYering confidence
as well as the warm personal regard of |
your fellow Christians We have learned |
to believe in your personal integrity, in
your tested, established Christian char
acter. Character is superior to achieve
ment. 1t is itself the highest achieve
ment. Office without character is moth |
ing. 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, Catholic in its spirit, |
undertaking in its loyalty to duty and to
God. We remember that you are called /
not only to be an example, but leader |
to the people of this land When Moses, |
who as an ''orGanizer and statesman |
stands without peer in all history - |
received his commission from Jehovah as |
the leader of the chosen nation he was |
overwhelmed by the sense of his |
own weakness and deficiencies. Unto |
him Jehovah then spake ana gave |
this all sufficient assurance: tsCertalnIy |
I will be with thee. The eternal God /
is the same, yesterday, to-day and for
ever. May you hear his voice speaking /
unto you these very words as he spake /
INTO the law givec OF Israel, girding you /
for the coming tasks, guarding you from
threatening perils and enabling you TO
lead this great American nation forward /
to higher conditions of
FREEDOM AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.
In the stormy days of our civil Iwar we
recall that in charge on the field of bat
tie once and again you led the ranks, for
warded and planted the flag Of our coun-
OA tc 0On- NON do
the leader and commander of so 900 009
people, we pray Almighty God to grant
unto you strength, courage aud wisdom
to lead these hosts f0rsard in the paths
of justice and truth until our standard
shall be planted on the heights
of God honoring and therefore enduring
property. We know you have set before
you as the fspole star of your public
life, - to use Your OWN words, Ga
patriotic purpose to promote the true
glory of our country and the highest good
of uur people We are glad in the
belief that the righteous hopes inspired
by your words and by your life among us
will be justified.
N THE DAYS TO COME.
We rejoice in the confident expectation
that the coming quadrennium viii be
marked by priceless blessings from the
Father of Mercies conferred ca our be-
loved country through your character
and administration speak for all the
members of this church when 1 say we
will hold You and yours tenderly In our