The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-20

&C -.
one who crosses the threshold Of the invis-
tble world comes back TO tell US what lies
beyond or what were their experiences Al
passing from one world TO the other. There
are some things, however, that must be
true OF such an experience. We know, Tor
example that death separates man from
| all the attachments and honors and pos
sessions that are wholly OF this world.
The next moment after death all earthly
distinction has disappointed. No man Is
tnen known as rich or poor, master or
slave, president governor or citizen. He
Is simply a soul in the presence of the
great white throne. Whether he is high
or low, rich or poor, noble or ignoble, viii
depend not upon the property he accumu-
lated here, nor upon the offices or titles he
secured from his fellow-men, but wholly
Upon the quality of being which he takes
with him out of the world That Is what
is wrought into his Immortality.
II suppose that when the approach of
death gives time for reflection this truth
Genes out very clearly in the consciousness
and all things that belong TO IL fade into
insignlhcance, and only that which Is i'm
who remain reflect in measure the power
OF this change of vision When a man of
great wealth or of official prominence
passes away public attention is directed, not
SO much to his fortune or to his office, but
to the man himself-the measure OF his
character and the quality of his being.
TURN TO THE MAN.
so our thoughts turn to-day, not upon
James A. Mount, the Governor or farmer
or senator, but upon James A. Mount the
man-upon that which still lives and loves
and achieves. He himself always kept his
manhood uppermost, holding it above and
making it more conspicuous than Office or
party or property. 1 know of no higher
tribute to be paid to public servant than
that And i know of no service so sorely
needed by the State.
Mr.. Mount was for many years my per-
sonal friend. L knew him well and
permitted to come into contact with him
somewhat intimately in various relations.
l always found him the same-true
hearted, clear visioned and unfiinchingly
loyal TO his nigh ideals. He was never a
trimmer either in public private life.
You always knew where to find him. He
was open, candid and unconcealed. He
was thoughtful man. had positive con-
victions and was unswervingly true 10
them. He was open neither TO intimidation
nor enticement. / venture the assertion
that no man who knew him ever attempted
TO influence him corruptly, and no man
who attempted to intimidate him succeeded
Thank God there are men in office who
carry with them such an atmosphere of
noble integrity that the corruptionist is
smitten with it when he comes into their
presence and his puerile soul shrinks under
its blight, and he sinks away rebuked and
defeated without ever having made known
his evil purpose. l do not believe that
every public man has his price, and 1 do
not believe that even the suspicion should
be allowed to rest upon a man who has
become public servant. Governor Mount
was by no means alone in the qualities /
nave described, but he was rarely con-
spicuous in their possession. He was
worthy of being called a typical Christian
patriot.
GENEROUSLY ENDOWED
He was a man generously endowed by
nature. Re had an active. vigorous mind.
with native insight. broad intelligence and
magnetic personality. 1t was not by mere
good fortune that he found his way to the
front in any sphere that he entered. He
| had the peculiar combination of qualities
that constituted him a born leader of men.
Though compelled in early life TO struggle
with difficulties which to many men would
have been insurmountable, he was able.
not only to rise above them, but able TO
compel them to contribute toward his up
building and achievement. For the very
qualities in him which had much to do
with his success in life were developed and
disciplined by hard conditions.
Although holding himself to high stand
ards, he was never PhariSaical nor intoler-
ant. His most positive antagonists recog-
nized his high purpose, and believed in his
integrity. A highly developed conscience in
a strong personality is apt to engender
fanaticism and throw one out of working
relations with his fellow-men. This was
not true, however, of Governor Mount.
Without sacrificing his own high ideals,
he was able to attach himself to the actual
conditions of life, and make himself posi-
tive force for their betterment.
above all, as we stand beside this cas-
ket to-day, we remember that Governor
Mount was Christian. That is what lifts
the gloom and changes defeat into vic
tory and death into life. He was thorough
dCV0nt follower
of Jesus Christ. He lived every day in full
view of the eternity into which he has now
entered. Death has not been TO him cut
ting down, a cutting off, but an up
lifting and a browning. The summons was
sudden, but not too sudden He needed no
special warning or preparation His death,
though a great bereavement was not I'M
timely. IL was not cruel. 1t was beauti-
full: Ii was glorious. He was permitted to
fill even the last day, and almost the last
hour, with earnest, active service; and the
transtion-the bursting of the new light
the glory-the welcome.
''Who is not ready in the presence of
such career and of such a GROWING to
join in the prayer, Let me live the life of
the righteous and let my latter END De
as his?'
THE CLOSING PRAYER.
The closing prayer was offered by Rev.
Dr. II. L. Nave, pastor of the First Pres
byterian Church OF Charlottesville, as fol-
lows:
1--WE pray Thee that Thou will help
to hear Thee saying to US. BE still and
know that / am God Thou hast been our
dwelling place in all generations. Before
the mountains were brought forth or ever
Thou hadst formed the earth and the world.
from everlasting TO everlasting Thou art
God. God is our refuge and strength, a
very present help in trouble. We thank
Thee that we can come TO Thee as to a
father and trust Thee and know that Thou
doest all things we'll. Thou gavest this life
and Thou hast received il again. We
thank Thee for this well-ordered life among
us. We thank Thee for this testimony that
comes truthfully from all, that he was a
man of God one who loved his fellows, one
who struggled to do Thy will and to glorify
Thee o Lord In his body and spirit, which
are Thine. We thank Thee that death
came not TO MIN as a surprise, but that IL
came TO him as a glad release, and we
rejoice to-day that heaven is not far
away from us, because we realize thai one
who trusted and loved and served Thee has
entered into the eternal city. And now
We ask Thee that by this service we may
come closer TO Thy great throbbing heart.
O God. and that we may realize that Thou
art interested in us and that Thou wilt do
for us more abundantly than we can ask
or think Help us TO leave our lives in
TIL, hands And now. our Father, We COM
mend these who loved him 10 Thy loving,
tender care. Do Thou draw especially near
TO them as they take UP LIES burdens