LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. ^/y.. E s~z3 PRESENTED D BY/ ' UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ADDRESS I .r AT THE BUKIAI> 8ERVICEB OF THE LATE SEORaE SIBBALD WILSON, I ADJUTANT OF THE 17TH EEOT. N. Y. S. V., |tt St. |att4's €\utc\, POUGHKEEPSIE. BY REV. A. D. TRAVER, D. D., RECTOR OF ST. PAUl's CHUReH. PRINTED BY KKyUKST- OSBORNE & OTIS, PRINTKKS, 1863. George S. Wilson, Adjutant of the 17th Reg't N. Y. S. v., having been wounded at Fredericksburg, died, after several weeks' illness, in the Seminary Hospital, George- town, D. C, February 7th, 1863, aged 24 years. His remains having been brought to Poughkeepsie, the customary Burial services were held, Feb'y 12th, in St. Paul's Church, Rev. J, C. Richmond, Chaplain U. S. A., Washington, D. C, conducting the services, and tlie Rector of St. Paul's making the Address. Services at the grave by Rev. Dr. Buel, of Christ Church. ADDRESS I wish to say a few words to those wlio have assembled on the present occasion. And few they must be as coming from me, prudence on my own part requiring it. Few, too, I would perhaps make them, as having regard to what are supposed to be the feelings of tliose who naturally are most interested in the present solemn service, and whose feelings should be respected. We have assembled, then, on what for this Church is a peculiar occasion. Not, that this is the first Burial service ever here held. Not, that we have never before borne any away from hence to the last — we may say, the only — rest- ing place that this earth can give to those for whom its conflicts, and the battles of their life, are ended. We have thus borne hence, or from among us, many, — the young and the old, — those, upon whom life had just opened ; those, for whom, through length of days, it naturally closed; and those, to whom health and strength and manhood promised a successful career, *'in that state of life unto which it had pleased God to call them." It is no new thing for mortals to die. We have not been taught only to-day, that "in the midst of life we are in death." We liave not been taught only to-day to ask, Who next? whether in the natui-al course of things, or through some special and sudden visitation ; or, to consider the great importance of being ready for our summons hence. What, then, is it, that distinguishes the present from many another and similar occasion ? For a long time as it seems to us, though short as com- ])ared with the world's troubled histories, and even with our own in the past of this land, our country has, through the rebellion of some of its people, been involved in an unnatural strife. We have had "wars and rumors of wars,"' within our borders. Contrary to the expectations of many, and the hopes of probably more, the end is not yet. Such expectations have been largely, if not altogether, frustrated, and "hopes deferred raakei the heart sick."' To what special or secondary causes, controlled by an over-ruling Providence as designine; to discipline us for past want of uprightness and upright dealing between man and man in domestic, social, civil and political life, and for forgetfulness of Grod, tliis delay is strictly owing, it is not for me, as it is unnecessary now and here, to determine. Enough, that such is the fact. The war is not ended. Accordingly, our countiy has called for our armed men, and has had them largely oflered and enrolled for its ser- vice. Youths and men have gone, whose heads and hands at home, em])loyed in the arts of peace, might have been the stay of their families, or whose presence would have contributed to the happiness of those they left behind. Meanwhile, battles have been fought, victories won, and defeats sustained, but all causing distress far and wide through the loss of life occasioned. Yet, of all this distress we, in this community, have known and had but little, through its effects among us. In this Congregation we have hitherto had none ; and perhaps have not been suffi- ciently thankfuL For the first time, we have now been, especially visited. Of the ten members of this Parish who have volunteered, to say nothing of four others connected with us through- their families, and all but two of whom are still in the service, the Deceased has been the only one whose death has brought war and some of its terrible effects home to us. We have heard of such losses. We have known of some in our neighborhood ; nor, I trust, have we been wanting in sympathy for those who have elsewhere been bereaved. But its circle of feeling has been narrowed; or, as it is better to say, we have been drawn together in mourning nearer to what is its centre for us. And, we feel the present loss all the more, doubtless, because for several weeks we have lived in alternations of hopes and fears for this young man's life. Our hopes, which were many and growing, have been disappointed ; our fears, also many but diminishing, have been realized. He has gone hence, his last battle fought, and, we trust, his vici^^ory won. And I do not say this lightly. I do not speak thus, in customary phrase, as aiming merely to offer consolation. I do not speak thus, as if believing that, whilst it is "sweet and honorable to die for one's country," such a death is necessarily a passport to the Paradise above. A battle-field, although suggestive of solemn thoughts during its intervals of inaction, is not neces- sarily the scene of miracles, or works, of grace. Its bap- tisms of blood are not necessarily a regeneration unto ever- lasting life. And if it be true, (as it is, since our Lord said it,) that "it must needs be that offences come, but wo to that man by whom the offence cometh," what a burden must rest upon any who, in times like these, of insubordination and rebellion on the one hand, and possibly of selfish ambi- tion on the other, have, through their mischievous errors there, and here their as mischievous schemes, hastened hence one soul unprepared. Could the whole world be mine, God forbid my seeking it at such a price. Whatever way He may have of somehow making such a loss good to one thus suddenly called, for the world I would not be the man, or one of a set of men, to occasion it. At the same time, there is here suggested a thought respecting every one's responsibility, which we should all of us remember in connection with the teaching of our words and examples ; and also the importance of being always ready for any event that can take us out of this world suddenly, here in our homes as well as on the field of battle. Our business is, to be ready always. We should live, as with our lives in our hands, and prepared to ineet our God, let Him bring His visitations upon us, when, in whatever way, or through whatever means He will. Let us remember, that we are all in His hand, — that, as "not even a sparrow falls to the ground without our Heavenly Father," so "the very hairs of our head are numbered." And, if we have made Him our Friend, — I should say, if we have become His friends, what have we to fear on being called hence to meet Him ? Meanwhile, our prayer for all (as well as for ourselves,) should be, that all may be so prepared for, and "take. His visitations, that after this painful life ended they may dwell with Him in life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord." I said, a moment ago, speaking of this our young Broth- er departed, that he had "gone hence, his last battle fought. and, we trust, his victory won." Nor was this said in the way of substituting evidences of patriotism for piety, or love of country for the love of God, or duty done to it for duty done to Him. All honor to those who have devoted themselves to their conntry's cause, who have bled and died for it. The heart must be cold indeed that can withhold its expression of honor for any such. But our God, whilst He has assigned us duties here, would liave us look beyond, and prepare for a "kingdom not of this world/' Earthly kingdoms of all descriptions shall perish, but the kingdom which is not of this world endureth forever. Why, then, as 1 have twice said, do we trust ? If 1 remember rightly, I have somewhere seen the re- mark, certainly it is a true one, that every one has a history which, were it written, would reveal great aims and strug- gles and efiorts, such as in our superficial view of men's lives altogether escape notice. So, the world's whole his- tory has never been wi'itten, and cannot be, by man. There is a secret life of which no one is conscious but ourselves and our God ; and, even from ourselves much of it is hid- den. Then, there is a history which is known only to our families and intimate friends, who draw their inferences as to what we are, from thoughts casually expressed and incidents known to them, but of wliich the world at large knows nothing : and, therefore, it cannot form a correct judgment respecting the whole actual life. It judges simply from what appears, abroad. And, whilst M'hat thus appears may be worthy of honor, there is often that which does not manifest itself to every eye, but yet is worthy of more honor. It is upon these private facts, in- cidents, or sayings, that friends love to dwell, remembering them in the hour of affliction, and not forgetting them when the first pang is over. And if, when we are gone, they can dwell upon additional evidences of our having aimed to make our peace with our Maker, — upon the fact that we have gone hence, with a lively sense of our own unworthiness, but yet trusting in the mercy of Him Who sent His Son to die for us all, this is the crowning comfort. The wound of their present loss aches, its scar remains, but there is a halo about it brightening and extending forth into a bright world where all is light and joy and peace, — free- dom from pain for them and for us. The comfort of such a thought and fact is often necessary, or, if not necessary, is always welcome, and comes "with healing in its wings," as they float back from thence. It is as a Spirit of light brood- ing upon the face of the deep. But now, to answer our question, Why do we trust ? Upon the first call to arms, when many were roused by the danger which threatened our country, our young Friend said, "I am going." And he went, determined to act the part of a man in the field that opened before him, to take a new departure, to make a new beginning. He had in him the elements of a soldier whatever might be his rank, whether as leading or led. Discouraged as he must have been, by obstacles not of his own raising, in the outset of his new career, he persevered, evidently gaining the good will of those over whom he was placed, and of others with wliom he was brought into contact. Of this we have had abundant advices. He was impulsive and impetuous in dis- position ; far from faultless, but altogether frank, and open to remonstrance and kindly persuasion. He seems to have been naturally fearless, to have had the courage which, as waiting for the coming of a conflict, is no less if not greater than that which rushes into the strife. It was thus, whilst waiting for orders near Fredericksburgh, although not engaged in the battle which ended so disastrously, the purpose for which it was begun being defeated, that he received the wound from the effects of which he died. How much he suffered, how he kept up his courage, and encouraged his friends with hopes, and not unreasonable hopes, of recovery, is known to many of us ; although they may have been hopes the more strongiy presented, from that desire to spare the absent pain which also made him unwilling to be burdensome to his attendants during his sickness. Except tliat of home he had every care, which he thankfully ac- cepted, apd as gratefully acknowledged. And, he had one advantage that does not tall to the lot of many who go forth to battle, and never return from the field. He had time to die. He had time for thoughts of accountability to God, not, as we learn, altogether new or first occurring up- 8 on his sick-bed ; and which served, as we believe, to his better preparation for that world in which all conflicts are over. And, so far as I ever can say it, as an expression of hope, and trust, I say it now to those who most need it, ' Be comforted.' Into all the reasons for such expression and such comfort, I will not here enter, considering the last moments of life and their incidents sacred legacies to immediate and surrounding friends. Yet, this much I will add, partl}^ as indicating reasons for our trustfulness, partly as showing our young Brother's compliance with the words of our Saviour, " Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him will I also confess before My Father which is in Heaven." To one of my Eev. Brethren, a friend of the deceased who had given him good counsel on his leaving home to engage in the duties of his military life, and who visited him in the Hospital at Georgetown, he expressed his wish to live, but also his willingness to die if such were the will of our Heavenly Father. For, as another Rev. Brother could tell, he had not given up the hope of continuing the course of life which he had chosen. On the day before his death, fully conscious of the benefit and bearing of the act in which he was about to engage, in the highest solemnity of our Religion, through receiving the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper he finally and for all renewed the vows of his Baptism and Confirmation, thus also confessing Christ. Nor is it less to be noted that, subsequently, in all humility, he expressed the feeling of having been unworthy of such a communion with our Lord. Worthy ? O our God \ who is ? or, who could venture upon such n communion, were it not that it was designed for such as come to it, " not trusting in their own righteousness, but in Thy manifold and great mercies " ? Need I add more, of the much that could be added ? I have already said more than I intended. And, if what has been said contribute to your all setting your house in order at once, since we can not possibly know what, or how long, our future here is to be, all has been said that any can need to hear. May God give us His blessing, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. frut.