The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-19

not only instructive to our nature, but
according to the will Of Cod
We gather reverently to-day about
monument TO such man. II bears the
name of Jefferson Davis a man illus
trious among the men and the events Of
an heroic episode of time; illustrious,
too. in a realm OF human interest and
action grander still. because Of more
eternal import. president Of the South
ern Confederacy," the record says. Yes.
and in that name he stands to us as our
most venerable. clothed with a dignity
peculiarly ineXpressibly sacred. But he
stands 10 us wearing a dignity and a
character more sacred still. Chieftain OF
great armies. whose splendid deeds made
the world ring with applause. he was
himself the enlisted soldier OF Jesus
Christ and followed with loyal heart the
banner of the cross. He ruled a people,
but he feared and served God. Head Of
an earthly power. he was "A simple citizen
of the one kingdom on earth which shall
never perish. 1t is this thought of him
which may most fitly fill our minds to-
day.
The invitation to preach on the occasion
OF the unwilling of the memorial window
erected in st. Paul's church Ito the glory
of God and TO the memory of Jefferson
Davis" brought 10 me mingled pleasure
were men like the rector and vestry of
this church. who thought of me as one
worthy 10 stand before the company that
would be gathered here, and able to give
suitable expressions to the sentiments
appropriate to such an occasion Misgiv-
ing that they had made Il mistake and
chosen wrongly They ought TO have
asked this service Of one not more ready.
but more fit to render it. l could have
pointed out TO them many such. who
would be willing and able 10 do it, but
rejecting that these honOred men did not
ask me to find them man for this duty
but asked me to do It myself. the only
course seemed to be TO leave with them
the responsibility Of their choice. and TO
do the service assigned aq best | could.
/ bring to this duty but one qualification
a deep and honest reverence for the man
whose memorial stands there: An indy
ing love for the cause for which he stood;
a heart 70 which all that belonged to
that cause is deeply sacred. 1t is a great
hOnOr-One that ] could not resist Selling
when offered-that one Of the Youngest
Of the private soldiers Of the Confederacy
should be permitted 10 speak 10 YOU this
day OF its honored president, and for your
sake and the theem's. I would that tho
thrilling elOquence OF his now silent ton
que could come TO me this hour that ]
might speak worthy Of his memory.
In great default Of this your preacher
must in simpler speech seek TO find
out acceptable words in which TO speak
Of him" taking care that that which Is
spoken is upright. even words of truth"
And now. gathered as we are here be-
fore this monument TO Jefferson Davis"
what shall / say? Along what suitable
line shall ! lead your thoughts? Among
l..
how shall we seize the one thought es-
pecially proper 10 this occasion? For
the occasion is peculiar. This monu-
ment TO him who was a soldier. a states
man. a famous figure Of history and our
President. you have placed in a church,
a sacred spot, but. as we know. II Is not
and could not fitly be, a memorial TO
him as soldier. statesman and ruler II
IL were a monument like other monu-
ments. the choice of speech were easy.
When not long ago we laid the cornerstone
OF that other monument TO this same
great man. on the public square of this
city. a mighty multitude from every
quarter gathered round the spot soldiers.
citizens civic societies. social bodies OF
many kinds. veterans OF the splendid
armies who had gone to battle at his
word-all these marched in reverent
procession 10 take a part In the begin
ming or a monument or enduring stone
which lift high it's solid form 10 be a
witness 10 otheN generations of the Pres
ident OF the onfederacy. and of how truly
his people loved and honoTed him. The
orator chosen on this occasion spoke well
and fttingly II his great subiect-painted
the man as he was related TO the affairs
OF this world his life and career. his
service in many high posts: his winning
and commanding personality; the charm
ing domestic virtues that adorned him;
his rich gifts Of intellect and eloquence.
his lofty worth as citizen: his brilliant
gallantTy as soldier. his noble record az
war chief of the Southern people. All
this and more was true Of him! All this
he was and did In the region Of earthly
interests. But / am sure you
feel. with me, that this were not the
suitable line OF discourse for this occa-
sion. For this occasion Is not
Xix that IL views the same illustrlous
man. but not from the same standpoint.
IL voices another thought! 1t stands
witness to a different and deeper truth
about that man.
This memorial IL built into the walls
OF a temple OF God. You have wrought
a monument into the structure OF
house that stands not for things seen
and temporal. but for things unseen and
eternal. A building standing indeed
amongst the dwellings OF men, but stand
lag there for the one purpose OF pointing
those men 10 Heaven. In this very place
which God has chosen TO place his mama