Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-16
Just before II O'Clock
pr..,se,,noo.exct

entered, coming into the room FROM
the rear. through the library. After
passing into the hall, he had made bis
way around through the sitting room
behind into the library. There was an
instantaneous movement as the Presi-
dent appeared. The procession was
still passing from the south side
around the head VI the casket. aai back
between IL and the members of the
cabinet seated at its side. Every one
rose and all eyes were turned toward
with the tide of the procession to his
place at the head Of the line Of cabinet
officers. He held himself erect his left
hand carrying his silk handkerchief.
Those who were coming toward him
fell back on each side to let him pass
He paused once or twice TO shake
hands silently, but there was no smile
to accompany his greetings. He, too,
like the man deep down in his seat
against the wall who had forgotten to
rise when the President of the United
States entered, seemed to be
Restraining Great Grief.
When President Roosevelt reached the
| head Of the line of cabinet officers he
kept his face away from the casket
The infsntryman guarding the dead
stood behind him like a statue. AL
Though the commander-in-ehief APP
preached until he could have touched
him, the soldier did not salute. The
President spoke to Secretary Root, or
perhaps it would be more precise 10
say that the latter spoke to him. TIE
President appeared to be steelfng lin
self for look into the face unto hin:
whose death had made him the frs;
ruler of the world. The tension in the
room was great. Everyone seemed to
he waiting. The minister of the gospel
stood with the Holy book in his hand
ready to begin. Perhaps it might have
been sixty seconds, 1t seemed longer.
Then the President turned and at the
same time advanced a step He bowed
his head and looked down upon the
man whose burden and responsibility
he had taken up. Long he gazed,
Standing TmmovabIe,
save for a twltching of the muscles OF
the chin as he labored with heavy
breath to repress his emotion. At lasc
he stepped back Col. Bingham, the
aide to the President standing ten feet
below the foot Of the easket,' at the
side of the loyal Cortelyou, glanced in
the direction of Rev. Charles Edward
Locke, of the Delaware Avenue M. E..
church, who was to conduct the SER
vices.
The pastor was at the door leading
into the hall, station whence his
words could be heard at TIE head OF
the stairs. The signal was given and
there came from the hall the beautiful
words, Lead Kindly Light" sung by
"a quartette. 1t was President McKln-
ley's favorite hymn. Every one with
in sound of the music knew it and half
OF those in the room put their faces in
their hands to hide their tears. Comp
troller Dawes leaned against the book
case and with President Roosevelt
seemed to be swinging to and fro as il
his footing were insecure.
When the singing ended the clergy
man read from the words of the fiji
tenth chapter of the First Corinthians.
All had risen as he began and remained
standing throughout the
Remainder of the Service.
Again the voices rose with the words
of Nearer My God to Thee" the very
words President Mckinley had repeated
at intervals of consciousness during the
day of agony before he died. AS the
music died away, the pastor spoke
again.
Let us pray" he said, and every
head fell upon it's breast He began
his invocation with a stanza from a
lynn sung in the Methodist church.
Bis prayer was as follows:
''Oh. God. our help in ages past,
Our hope for years TO come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our Eternal home"
We, Thy servants humbly beseech
Thee for manifestations of Thy favor
as we come into Thy presence. We
laud and magnify Thy Holy name and
praise Thee for all Thy goodness. Be
merciful unto us and bless us, as strick-
en- with overwhelming sorrow we come
to Thee. Forgive US for our doubts
and fears and faltering faith, pardon
all our sins and shortcomings, and
help us to say Thy will be done In
this dark night of grief abide with us
till the dawning. Speak to our
troubled souls, o, God, and give to us
in this hour of unutterable grief the
peace and quiet which Thy presence
only can afford. We thank Thee that
Thou answerest the sobbing sigh OF
the heart, and dost assure us that il