The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-01-20
TRIBUTE TO LEI,
SOLDIER AND man
4MPREssIvE SERVICES IN IT.
PAUL,s CHURCH Az BIRTH
DAY OBSERVANCE
THEVETERANS ATTEND
DAUGHTER OF GREAT CHIEFrAry
OCCUPIES PEW THAT WAS MS.
Rev. w. RUSSELL BowIYs
ADDRESS A GEM.
THE VETERANS ATTEND


polling eioquence. Rev. Russell Bowie.
the rector of st. Panrs Episcopal
church, last night painted a glowing
eulogium Of General Robert e. Lee.
as soldier and citizen, while the men
who had followed the intrepid chief
tain In dark days of civil strife. sat
In silent, fearful appreciation, drink
Ing in every word Of laudation that
Seil from the minister's lips.
Commemorate Birthday.
The service, which was In commern-
Grafton of the one hundred and fifth
anniversary OF General Lees birth, was
attended by the Daughters Of tho Con-
federacy, and Sons OF Veterans, the
''thin, gray line" In uniform. occupy
Ing the front pews, Miss Mary Gusts
Lee. daughter OF the general. with
several friends, sat In the pew which
was her fathers In his lifetime. The
service was the sweetiy simple semi
choral evening prayer. and preceding
the rector's address the vested choir
rendered General Lees favorite hymn:
'fHow Firm O. Foundation Ye Saints
of the Lord
Mr. Eowie's address, which was q
gem in thought and delivery, WAS de-
voted to the individuality OF General
Lee, and in paying tribute to the hero
Of the Confedcracy he divided his al"
dress into two parts--Lee the man,
and Lee. the soldier, taking as g. text
the familiar verse from Daniel; Ana
they that be wise their nVes
shall shine as stars In the armament.
Lee Greatest virsinian.
To Mr.. Bowte's mind Washington
and Lee we're the greatest of VIZ
gInians, but TO The present generation
perhaps Lee seemed the greater De-
cause his life WAS bound up with ours
and was near, dear ana personal IN
that 1t was vivid and recent and WITH
tn trs+st.st's,s--t- IF Ia
sketched briefly his early life, from
his birth at westmoreland and his
education and military training, TO hts
mart in the @iexiean war, and then
10 the famous raid Of Harper's Ferry.
in which Lee had 1rst displayed his
military genius~-ths forerunner Of the
career to come
What made Lee Ereat as IA soldier,
Mr.. Bowie said, was his personal nraS~
cry, which was first displayed In the
MEXICAN war. and thea characterized
his career throughout the days OF civil
strife. Briefly the rector recited story
after story Of the occasion when the
great leader had displayed heroism on
the battlefield and recounted opin~
SON after opinion OF soldiers OF inter
national renown testifying to his mill
vary genius, and ranking him as the
pear OF Napoleon.
Lee, the Mar, fassptendent.
IL was as Lee, the man, though IN
which the compelling character shone
most resplendent. From the terrible
xSzN szf
when hs was forced to decide between
his chosen career in the army OF the
union and taking up his sword for his
native State Robert E Lees life was
characterized by sef-ahnegation
that was at once wonderful and beau
tifuI--a tleroism OF tho common
place, and therein alone he was great
lie was greater In adversely even than
in success and with compelling char
acter and noble fortitude he held the
faith because God TO him was real.
.sWhat do we count success" asked
The rector Through failure. through
achievement. through adversely. to
hold sublime faith, making the world
sruer, nohler and tlner~-fhat Ia great
ness, and Robert +. Lee was great.
He was a mighty soldier, -a~espfain or
men, consecrated. plous. devoting his
life and his talents To the service Of
men and the cause OF Goo.
His life Model.
In an exten1poraneous invocation at
rts rseec ri --i -s.-f,4res~- tire -ssss:s.s
asked for Divine guidance and strength
for men to model their lives after lead
Nrs like Lee, Give us Grace" he
prayed ferventls, ito follow where they
had led; 10 neake our lives mere true.
more self sacrificing: ia make our lives
as theirs were. Teach as to follow in
the paths where they ied-~that We
may live to thy glory and thy honor"
The services, In which the rector
was assisted by Rev. William A. Pear
, man, assistant rector of ST. Paufs,
were verv impressive, and the church
was packed to the galleries with an
attentive congregation.