The record-union., 1893-01-16
TEE GRAVES OF EIBTT TWO. /"
An Interesting Memorial Discourse by
Rev. J. B. SiIeoM
The Honored Dead of the Past Year
Great Men Whose Deeds Live
Long in History

The Congregational Church was
crowded to its utmost seating capacity
last evening with very appreciative and
attentive audience who went to hear Rev.
}. B. Silcox of Oakland discourse on
''The Graves of 1892"
Mr.. Silcox in preface read a portion OF
the twenty-frst chapter of Revelations,
and by his request the choir and congre-
CATION sang a hymn written by John G.
Whittier, which was peculiarly appropri-
ate inasmuch as a large portion OF the
discourse was eulogy of the Quaker
poet. Mr.. SIcox also offered a very earnest
and eloquent prayer. Several selections
were well rendered by the choir, and
Richard T. Cohn sang Longfellow's
Psalm of Life" eXquisitely. The organ
music was also exceptionally good.
Mr.. Silcox's discourse was one most in
structive and interesting, and held his
hearers for nearly two hours. He began
by saying it has been his custom for
many years to hold an 'In Memoriam''
service, in which he recalled the work
and worth OF the distinguished dead OF
the year just closed. He thought il sure
ly meet and right TO recognize in this way
the illustrious souls that have passed
through the noIseless gates of death to
the lie UtdI awaits tDell beyond.
I'VE benefit ourselves" he said, "when
We pay respect TO superior worth. The
names craven on memorial columns are
voices calling US TO rise higher in
thought, purpose, character and achieve
ment. Every grave breaches to the soul
q short and earnest sermon. No man
Hveth to himself, and no man dieth TO
himself The men who serve God and
help humanity live after death.
The neurology of 1892 contains more
eminent names than any year since 1852
the year in which Garibaldi Darwin,
Emerson and Longtellow died. The list
OF eminent men-men of superior ability
and worldwide renown-who passed
away in 1892 is an exceedingly long list.
Death, which loves a shining mark, has
found many such during the year just
closed
early in the year death forced his way
into the royal palace and called away the
helr-apparent to the throne of England.
Later on the White House of this nation
was shrouded, and the people of this land
mourned with their President in the
death OF his beloved wife"
Mr.. SilcoX then briefly referred to the
loss of the Roman Catholic Church in the
death OF Cardinal Levigerie, Ernest Re
nan, the distinguished author and scholar
OF France, and to such men and women
in our own country as ID. Lathrop, J. r.
Osgood, Russell Smith, Rose Terry Cook,
Walt Whitman, Mary Allen West, George
William Curtis, and many others.
IN referring TO Jay Gould and William
Astor, TWO millionaires, dying in 1892, ne
said on this side the grave they were rich
in stocks and gold, but shrOuds have no
pockets, and he feared on the other side
they were paupers.
lie passed quickly over the long list of
names and devoted most Of his discourse
to John q. w hitter, delivering a splendid
eulogy on the renowned Quaker poet
the poet laureate, and one OF the most be-
loved men Of America. He dwelt at
length upon the simple and loving char
acter of Whittier, upon the great work he
accomplished, together with William
Lloyd Garrison and other leaders in the
antI-slayery agitation, and throughout
the struggle to abolish it.
lie quoted many extracts from Whit
tiers poems, and stated that it was dis
tinctly pure in Christianity. The works
of Henry Ward Beecher and Whittiers S
poems had given him (the speaker) a
deeper insight into human character and
religious faith than anything else he had
read.
Whittier" said he, belonged to a
group Of noble souls whose writings have
been and viii long continue to be a
source OF inspiration to the people of this
Republic. 1t was fortunate that in the
golden morning of our national life men
Of intellectually and spirituality men of
clear, sound reason, OF lofty ideals
should sit on the throne of power and
direct the thought and life Of this fair,
young Republic. The service they
rendered the Nation cannot be overes-
timated."
The discourse was laden with tribute to
Whittier, and abounded in selections
from his verse. The audience was deeply
interested and attentive throughout, and
evidently much impressed.