The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1901-09-25
Memorial Services.

Never in thehistory orour Republic has
there been sorrow more profund and
general than that through which our ma
tiOn has just passed. Touched at its very
core, waves of tenderest sympathy and
love extended to the hearthstone of every
loyal American. The nations puse-beat
could be felt in the voice and counte-
nance of every man, woman and child
who appreciates the privilege OF living in
"The land of the free and the home of the
brave" The untimely death of our be-
loved leader proved a common sorrow
shared alike by all sections, parties and re-
! ligious beliefs. On Thursday last business
was suspended everywhere and silence
fell oyer this great land of ours as a sig
nilicant tribute TO the memory of our chief
tain. The citizens ofTionesta showed their
loyalty and sympathy in a most appro-
pirate observance of the day. Flags at
half mast twined with crepe, swung from
many homes aud places of business, and
spanned our streets. Pictures of Presi-
dent Mckinley, with festoons. of black
wound with the national colors were the
more general decorations, and also
adorned the walls of the school-rooms.
Ry order of the schOol-bOard, the schools
were called but for short time that
morning, which was entirely devoted to a
review of the life and death of the late
President. At noon all places Of busi-
ness were closed and at $3.50 p, IN. a large
number of our citizens assembled in
the Presbyterian church which was
tastefully decorated for the occasion, and
where union memorial services were
held. The pastor of the church, Rev. j.
V. McAninch, was unavoidably absent,
and the services were conducted by Revs.
W. p. Murray of the NJ. L. church and
C. II. Miller Of the +. NJ . church.
President McKinley's favorit hymns
Nearer, My God to Thee" and LEAD
Kindly Light'-weie sang. Mrs. Sharpe
sang as solo the hymn, Sometime
Wen Understand and was assisted in
the chorus by choir composed of sing
ers of the NJ. Il, aud Presbyterian
churches. Burgess T. f. Ritchey read
the procamations of President Roosevelt
and Gov. Stone. The memorial oration,
which was most excellent and one long
to be remembered, was delivered by
Rev. Murray. Mr.. Murray eloquently
eulogized the noble statesman, the brill
liant orator, the heroic soldier and tho
model christian American. He reviewed
the life of William Mckinley, showing
how he had climed round by round from
the humble walks of life to the highest
pinacle of fame in his country, attribut-
| ing the success of our chief executive to
his having become christian at the age
of fourteen and Of his faithfulness 10
duty.
In striking contrast he gave as the key
note Of the assassin's downfall, his edu-
cation in the slums of anarchy. He
clearly showed how much betterit would
have been for Czogosz and for our coun-
| try il the young man had gone into one
of our city missions and had heard of the
love OF God to man instead of going, as
he did into meeting where he was
prompted to commit an act of infamy by
the fire. brand who addressed it. Mr..
Murray gave as panacea for our nation
al ailment the work of City Missions.
At the conclusion of this address,
Rev. Miller spoke touchingly of our
martyred President and expressed his
surprise that any person enjoying the
blessings and privileges our govern
ment affords should have committed
such a crime against one who was always
a friend of the laboring class of people
and who did so much for them.
A tenor of patriotism characterized
both addresses and America was never
sung with more fervor than it was at the
close of this memorial service.