Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1901-09-30
MEMORIAL SERMON.
Rev. George S. Bell breaches 20 Knights
Of Pythias

VI PythlaS
The Rev. George ). Bel. pastor OF the
Presbyterian Church. by special request
preached a memorial sermon last night
to the order OF Knights OF Py,hias, the
late President Mckinley being a mem
Der OF that brotherhood.
Mr.. Bells text was from Acts, 18th
chapter and part ofthe 3oih verse: "Aiter
he had served his own generation by the
will OF God. tell on sleep" He prefaced
his sermon with words of welcome to the
brotherhood. He spoke of their motto
OF Friendship, Charity. Benevolenee. as
containing three most precious jewels in
life's casket He trusted that they would
practice them faithfully, and that they
would be led up through Christ into that
higher bro,herhood-the family OF God.
Mr.. Bell said. in part. that the text
was the biography of nations king and
disclosed the master secret OF strength
and true greatness, that 1t was unfair to
write mans life in detail. Ifyou Judged
him by few OF his words and actions,
you would misjudge him. You must take
his life in its fullness- perfectly rounded
out. Our late Chief Magistrate was not
a king. He was not a ruler. He was
the servant OF the people. He was ac-
cused OF keeping his ear to the ground
listening for the will OF the people, but
that was high tribute to a President OF
the United States. Some people would
make despot OF a weaker man.
"Mr. Mckinley was known for his
personal integrity, for his intrinsic hon
esty. Almost half the Nation disagreed
with his political philosophy, but after
the ssarchlight had been brought to bear
upon him in two political campaigns, all
the people admitted that his hands were
unstained and his name unsullied. Isaiah
was both patriot and philosopher when
he said of Judah that its manhood was
more precious than its gold. Goldsmith
was true prophet when he wrote that lit
is sad day for a nation when its wealth
accumulates and its men decay A well
known English writer has said that the
greatness of this country is not in its
wealth and its undeveloped resources. but
in its first hero. George Washington.
"Mr. Bell spoke touchingly of Mr.. Me-
Kinley's matrimonial lite. That it began
with love that burned with deeper
intensity OF devotion at its close. That
he was shining example from high
pinnacle, to husbandhood. But by far
the best OF all that can be said OF him,
he was Christian, believer in the old
fashioned doctrines OF saving grace. This
is the crown we place upon his brow. 1t
is not too much to assert that had he not
been a redeemed soul, and a sincere fol-
lower OF his Saviour, a nation would not
have gathered, weeping, at his burial.
"Three things connected with his burial
will not be forgotten as long as historians
live to write the record First, its dem
ocratic simplicity. There were no long
lines oil gilded coaches, richly caparison-
ed horses. emblazoned banners, blaring
trumpets and brass bands, to attract
attention of the people. Instead,
there was simple funeral cortege. and
a gathering of the people under the great
dome of the Capitol, drawing closer,
as it seemed, to the side of God, as
though they remembered the promise,
'He will cover thee with his feathers,
and under his wings shalt thou trust. II
was an old-fashioned Methodist service
prayer. Scripture, breathing of hope in
the resurrection. two hymns and SER
mon or address by an aged Bishop of
his church. How different was il all
from the gorgeous funeral pagents in
honor of kings and queens on the other
side of the sea
1--WE shall remember longest--and
they have gone forth to the ends of the
world--the great strong words, the last
he spoke on earth Goodbye, all; it
is Gods way. His will be done Our
Chief Magistrate will not have died in
vain, il it arouses the land to the neces-
sity OF civic righteousness. and the utter
folly OF allowing the freeman's blessing
OF free speech, TO be distorted into fee
license" Mr.. Bell paid his respects,
with no uncertain sound. to the cartoons
in newspapers that distorted the pictures
of our presidents and governors into mon
strous deiormity. In speaking of the
anarchist he said that while we could.
through courteous hospitality, bear with
the i'll manners OF a stranger in our house,
we would drive him from our door when
be puts poison in our food and rattle