The times., 1899-12-07

congregation gained two and he won our
warmest respect and admiration. / did
not then know of him what I now know,
and appreciate so fully. / realized, how
ever, before his sermon was concluded,
that he was a man of large and unusual
endowments. of much learning of sur
passing piety and devotion and of tender
heart. I could well understand even from
the sermon l then heard if l had not lis
tened to him often since, that his heart
was generous and full of love and charity
From Impressions then made upon me
I was ready to believe what l have since
learned, and all l have learned of his
faithfulness and loving kindness as
pastor, his gentleness and. his deeds of de-
yotion and love TO the sick and wounded
men of the Union and Confederate armies
in the hospitals Of this city and elsewhere
during the unhappy Civil War For fifty
years he has been a pastor in this city,
and has been doing deeds great and small
of affection and love- not only to those OF
his own church but of the community at
large. While he is known to be an earnest
churchman and deyOtedly attached 10 his
own denomination, he is recognized as a
broad minded, scholarly, Christian gen
/ tleman, liberal in his views toward other
denominations and religious people, that
he is a humanitarian, and a Jealous work
] =
advancement of his fellow man.
For six years, that is, from 1869 to 1875,
he was chaplain of the House of Repre-
/ sentatiyes. For about the same length of
/ time from 1886 TO 1893 he filled the same
position in the United States Senate. Time
will not allow me- even if it were appro-
pirate for me to DO so, TO make reference
to the grave questions pending in Congress
and TO the famous men then In that body,
while he filed the position mentioned.
The period of his chaplaincy In the House
! was soon after the closing of the war be-
tween the States-aa time when the fierce
and angry passions engendered by that
1 fearful struggle had not subsidadt-but from
/ the knowledge we all have Of the forgiying
/ spirit and tenderness of DR.. Butler, we
know that his every prayer for the years
1 of his nIinistTations were invOeatiOGs that
peace, prosperity, and brotheriy kindness
might rest upon our common country and
every section thereof like a sweet benedic-
tion. When we think Of his fifty years oi
service to the people in the cause of his
Master in this city, and realize the affec-
tion for him in the minds and hearts of all
its inhabitants, there can be no surprise felt
at the magnifcence and splendor of the
reception accorded him here tonight HI
richly deserves it all, and even more Dur
ing all his long, pious, and eventful career
he has been true to his people, true 10 his
country and her institutions, true to him
self, and true to his God"
Commissioner Wight's Address
The next speaker was John B. Wight
President of the Board of Commissioner:
of the District OF Columbia. He said
In speaking as the representative o.
the municipality of the District of Colum
bia it gives me great pleasure to add
word of testimony as to the advantage i
has been to the city TO have as one of it
honored citizens the guest of this evening
The greatest blessing which can come t
any city is good citizenship Magnifceu
buildings, beautiful parks, broad streets
modern Conyeniences as TO railroad trans
Dortation, and thoroughly equipped place
cf business. are all material things; the,
are only for the comfort and convenience
of the people who live in the community
it is the men who make the city, shap
its character and produce the cOnsequen
credit or discredit, happiness or unhappi
ness.
''Ar. Butler preceded me in his coming +
this beloved city by four years, it hayin
been my privilege to be born here in 1851
, Among the earliest recollections of M
boyhood days is the very distinct one O
hearing my good father speak of his friend
DR.. Butler Associated with him in all tina
was good he frequently referred to tn
very earnest active, ond efficient service
rendered by Dr.. Butler in the organizatio
OF the Y. NJ. C. A, in the great work per
i formed by the Christian commission i
] giving physical and spiritual help to tn
/ soldiers in 1861, and the following years
in the Bible society, and in all that mean
> the good of this Capital
"Dr. Butler happily survives many c
those who Iabored with him in those earle
) days. The same characteristics which mad
him a good citizen then make him a goo
t ! citizen now This community has bee
2 favored by his residence in it. and, a
he nears the natural end of a useful life
il must be a pleasant thought to him as
} is TO us that at least one OF the result
! J of his good citizenship lies in the faC