Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-09-18
with their precious burden and tcnderly
placed II on the bier I'm the rotunda.
THE SERVICES


prescribed In the Methodist church. Tw,
hymns. Il prayer. an address, and bene
| diction comprised all of IL. yet the i'm
preston left at the end OF IL was of per
fection.
Among the first cOmers were the army
C!licers. General Randolph. in charge o
the military arrangements at the Capitol
| was first among these and soon afterwnrJ
came Gen. Gillespie, chief of engineers
and Gen FitZhuGh Lee. Soon the nun
bCr of officers became too great to distin-
guish between them and the rotunda h
gan to light up with the dashcs OF solo
lace and gilt buttons ana flashing scab-
bards scattered through the sobcri;
dressed crowd of civilians.
Before 10 o'c.ock the latter had assem-
blcd in such numbers as to fill the great
er part Of the seating space not reserve
for the persons in the funeral procession
just at 10 q clock Admiral Dewey made
his appearance, accompanied by Gca
Otis. Gen. Davis and Gen. Ruggles. lie
took up his station ut the eastern en-
! trance where he was joined by the other
members of the guard Of honor.
Mrs. Hobart. with her son, and Mrs.
Russell A. Alger. escorted by Col.
Hecker. also entered during this time
of waiting. The clergyman and the
choir, the latter from the Metropolitan
Nj. L. church which Mr.. Mckinley at
tended. filed in and were seated at the
head of the catafalque. At 20 minutes
to IL O'Clock. the cabinet entered and
were seated to the south of the plat
for nl .,f
Nearer. My God. to Thee by the
Marine Band outside, the casket was
borne into the rotunda.
Gen. Gillispie and Col. Bingham led
the way and every one arose. The
guard of honor on either side sepa-
rated and the caskct was placed gently
upon the catafalque.
Next came members of the family of
the deceased. Abner Mckinley leading.
They We're seated near the head OF the
casket. Mis-. Mckinley was not pres
ent. Senator Hanna was with the fam
lily party.
Next the diplomatic corps entered.
all in full court regalia and were seat
ed to the south. Former President
Cleveland with Gen. Wilson. his es-
cort. sat in the first row. Lastly came
President Roosevelt, escorted by Capt
Cowles and preceded by Mr.. Cortelyou.
secretary to the President. He was
given a seat at the end Of the row oc-
cupied by the cabinet. just south of
the caSket. Mr.. Rooscvclt's face was
red and he appeared To he restraining
his emotions with difficulty.
When the noise occaSioned by seat
ls.S
fell upon the people and then the choir
softly sung Lead. Kindly Light" Car
dinal Newmans divine anthem. while
every one stood in reverence.
At the conclusion of the hymn Rev.
DR.. Henry r. Naylor. presiding elder
of the Washington District NJ r.
church. delivered the invocation while
the distinguished company listened
with bowed heads:
20. Lord God. our heavenly Father.
a bereaved nation cometh to Thee in
its deep sorrow. To whom can we go
in such an hour as this but unto Thee
Thou only art able to comfort md
support the afflicted. Death strikes
down the greatest and best of men
and subsequent changes are continu-
ally occurring among nations and
communities. But we have been
taught that Thou art the same. yes
terday. today, and forever. that with
Thee there is no variableness nor the
least shadow of turning. So in the
midst of our grief we turn to Thee for
help"
We thank Thee q Lord. that years
ago Thou didst give to this nation 4
1,
thank Thee for the pure and unsclfish
life he was enabled To live in the midst
of so eventful an experience We thank
Thee for the faithful and distinguish
ed services which he was enabled to
render tn his state. To our country
and to the world. We bless Thee Tor
such a citizen. for such a law-maker.
FOR such n governor, for such n PreSi-
dent. for such a husband. for such a
Christian example and for such q
friend.
Eut. . Lord. we deplorc our loss to-
day and sincerely inplore Thy sane
tifying benediCtiCn. We pray Tree for
that dear one who has been walking
by his side through the years. sharing
lis triumphs and partaking Of his eor-
rows. Give to her all needed susie
nance and the comfort her stricken
heart so greatly Graves. And under the
shadow Of this great calamity may she
learn as never before the fatherhood
Of Coo and the matchless character
of His sustaining grace.
And. o Lord. we sincerely pray for
him upon whom the mantle of Pres
idential authority has so suddenly and
unexpectedly fallen. Help him to walk
worthily the high vocation whereunto
he has been called. He needs Thy
guiding hand and Thine inspiring spr-
it continually. May he always present
to the nation and to the world divinely
illumned judgment a brave heart and
an unsullicd character.
Hear our prayer. o Lord. for the Off
cia! family Of the administration. those
men who are associated with Thy ser
want the President. in the administra-
ton of affairs of government; guide
them in all their deliberations to the
nations welfare and the glory Of God
And now, o Lord. we humbly pray
for Thy blessing and consolation to
come to all Thy people in our land and
nation. Forgive our past shortcom-
| ings; our sins of omission as well as
our sins of commission. Help us to
make the Golden Rule the standard OF