The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-20

OF these things we are not surprised TO
hear from one who was present when this
great soul passed away that ne never pc
fore saw death so peaceful or Dying
man so crowned with grandeur.
LESSONS OF THE SAD EVENT.
Let us turn now to a brief considera-
tion Of some OF the lessons that we are to
learn from this sad event. The first one
that will occur to us all is the old, old les
that in the midst of life we are in
death.
Man goeth forth to his work and to his
labor until the evening"
He heeth also as a shadow and con-
tinueth not
Our President went forth in the fullness
suddenly smitten by the hand that
brought death with il. Meme of US can tell
what day may bring forth. Let us there
self and none of us dieth TO himself May
each days close see each days duty done.
;+ But our iast words must be spoken.
Little more than four years ago we babe
him goodbye as ne went to assume the
great responsibilities to which the Nation
had called him. His last words as he left
US We're: Nothing could give me greater
pleasure than this farewell greeting-this
evidence of your friendship and sympathy,
your good WILL and L am sure of the pray
ers of all the people with whom have lived
so long and whose confidence and esteem
are dearer TO me than any other earthly
10 ali OF us the future Is as
sealed book; but If L can, by official act,
or administration or utterance in any
degree add to the prosperity and unity OF
our beloved country, and the advancement
and well-being of our splendid citizenship,
L will devote the best and most unselfish
efforts of my life to that end. With this
ly take leave of my friends and neighbors,
cherishing in my heart the sweetest mem
cries and thoughts Of my old home-my
home now, and, | trust, my home hereafter.
so a /
1--WE hoped, with him, that when his
work was done, freed from the burdens of
of happy people, he might be permitted
to close his earthly life in the home he
ha0 loved. He has, indeed, returned to US.
but how? Borne to the strains of Nearer
NV God, to Thee and placed where he
first began life's struggle, that the peo-
pie might look and weep over so sad a
homecoming.
but it was a triumphal march. How
vast the procession. The Nation rose, stood
with uncovered head. The people of the
land are chief mourners The nations of
the earth weep with them. But, oh, what
a victory. l do not ask you in the heat of
public address. but in the calm moments of
mature reflection, what other man ever
had such high honors bestowed upon him.
and by so many people? What pageant has
equaled this that we look upon? We gave
nm 10 the Nation but little more than
Tour years ago. He went out with the light
o. the morning upon his brow, but with
ms task Set and the purpose to complete
IL. We take him back mighty conqueror.
- The churchyard where his children rest,
Inc quiet spot that suits him best.
Inere shall his grave be made,
And there his bones be laid.
And there his countrymen shall come,
win memory proud, with pity dumb.
Ana strangers far and near,
For many and many a year;
FOR many year and many an age,
While history her ample page
The virtue shall enroll,
Of that paternal SOUL ="
Bishop I. w. Joyce, of Minneapolis, fol-
lowed with brief prayer, and the serv-
ices were concluded with the singing of
the hymn which President Mckinley re-
peated on his deathbed, Nearer, my God,
to Thee; Nearer to Thee" The entire con-
gregatiOn arose and Joined in the last
stanza. ather Valtman, of Chicago, chap
lain of the Twenty ninth Infantry, pro-
nounced the benediction. Then the notes
of the organ again arose. The coffin was
taken up and borne from the church. The
relatives and those in official life went out
in the order they had entered.