Qass. 
 Book. 
 
 yV 7 2 ■ 
 
'^A TIME TO WEEP.- 
 
 A^ SE:RM:0]Nr 
 
 ON THE DEATH OF 
 
 Q ^ I'c 
 DELIVERED APRIL vDtji., 18r,5. 
 
 IX THE 
 
 PRESBYTERIAN C H U R C H , 
 
 BY THE I'ASTOK 
 
 REY. ROBERT H. WILLIAMS. 
 
 FREDERICK, MD., 
 SCHLEY, KEEFER & CO. 
 
 I8r>5. 
 
"A TIME TO WEEP." 
 
 A. ©ERivioisr 
 
 ON THB DEATH OP 
 
 DELIVERED APRIL 29th,, 1865/ 
 
 IN THE! 
 
 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 
 
 AY THE PASTOS, 
 
 REV. ROBERT H. WILLIAMS- 
 
 — •'''i^> 
 
 FREDERICK, MD., 
 SCHLEY, KEEEER & C0» 
 
 1865, 
 

 [PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.] 
 
''A Time to fVeep."—Eccl 3, 4, 
 Only a few days have passed since the itott tongue of 
 thousands of bells rang out the glad sound of victory, £tnd 
 gladdened us with the prospect of an early termination of 
 the strife which for years has been raging. Quickly, loudly, 
 did these bells respond to the feelings of our joyous hearts. 
 Now with slow, measured strokes, they speak in response tO 
 changed emotions. But yesterday innumerable loud-mouth- 
 ed, iron-throated cannon poured forth exultant sounds, which 
 went rolling over city and town, hill and valley. Bands ad-' 
 ded to the general rejoicing by discoursing the National airs. 
 The dear old flag, which had been torn down by traitoirS 
 hands and shot away by hostile bullets, had been lifted ta 
 the breeze, never, we hope, to be removed. Smiles adorned 
 the faces of our people, and words of hope and encourage- 
 ment were exchanged. ! how happy we felt in the pros^ 
 pect of peace, an honorable peace. Day after day, did we 
 hear, with pleasure, the good news of the capture of large 
 towns, and the surrender of large bodies of men. "The 
 war is over." "The rebellion is at an end," were the expres- 
 sions on the lips of thousands.- Our Sun shone brightly. 
 Our political sky was almost free from clouds. But to-day, 
 the nation is clothed in sackcloth, and sorrow is in our 
 hearts. We all feel that it is a time to weep. A thick, 
 black cloud has gathered in our sky. Our faces bear the 
 marks of sadness. Expressions of joy have ceased. "The 
 elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their 
 music. The joy of our heart is ceased, our dance is turned 
 into mourning." Our hearts are faint through sorrow. Our 
 eyes are dim by reason of weeping. "Why this change? 
 Has the cause of our joy ceased? No. Peace seems as near 
 as it did a week ago. Were we deceived by false news? No. 
 All the victories we rejoiced over were real. Indeed, other 
 
•uocesfles have been added to those we have celebrated. We 
 weep, not because we have lost the victories gained. It is 
 not the absence of good tidings^ which makes this a day of 
 weeping. Sad news, blended with announcements of a pleas- 
 ing character, makes us weep to-day. The whole nation has 
 heard that our beloved President, Abraham Lincoln has pass- 
 ed away. It is his death, which has brought us to the house 
 of God in the middle of the week. On account of his death, 
 a tolling, instead of a joyous, quickly-sounding bell, sum- 
 mons us together. Our grief is all the deeper because of 
 the suddenness with which he was cut down. It had not 
 been announced to the nation that he was sick; or else, the 
 tidings of his death would not have shocked us as they have 
 done. The first news was told in the harsh ungrate- 
 ful, sorrow-producing words, "He is dying." Then soon 
 over the wires flew the message, ''He is dead." Dead! 
 Yes dead ! He did not die by disease; nor yet, by accident. 
 He died by the hand of the assassin. How can we speak of 
 the foul deed? We do not desire to indulge in extravagant 
 remarks for this is not the time for them. Yet our feelings 
 will hardly allow us to speak with moderation. Can we 
 look upon the corse, the mangled corse of our honored chief, 
 and not cry for vengeance upon the perpetrators of the bloody 
 deed .^ Have we another chief to take the place of him who 
 has fallen ? Look to see him made the mark for the weapon 
 of the assassin, if the murderer is not soon detected, and 
 punished. Justice ought to be nimble-footed lest other men, 
 whose efforts are invaluable to us, should be slain. 
 
 Sad, sad services claim our attention at this time. The 
 statesman, the soldier, the minister, the private citizen, gath- 
 er around the remains of our President, at the Capital at 
 this time, and the Churches all over our laud, are filled with 
 mourning hearts. Our grief is greater than our joy. The 
 two emotions of gladness and sorrow cannot possess the 
 heart at the same time. The nation mourns to-day. It is a 
 time to weep. It is a great grief, participated in by all, 
 
which distreases us to-day. We feel this more deeply than 
 any we have had during these four years of war. And why 
 is it 60 great? Why does the nation, this day, manifest 
 more sorrow over the death of one than over the multitudes 
 who have been slain on their country's altar ? We all mourn 
 the loss of brave men who have fallen in battle; but there is 
 a difference between the loss of many from the ranks, and 
 the death of one President. One great and good man, wise- 
 ly administering the affairs of the nation, is worth many 
 whose training and position prevent them from exerting 
 much influence. The price of victory is the blood of many, 
 who move in the humbler walks of life. Individual hearts, 
 here and there through the country are torn, but the heart 
 of the nation rejoices over the victory, the result of their ef- 
 forts. Parents, and wives, and children, here and there 
 through our country with bleeding hearts are weeping, while 
 the nation is engaged in demonstrations of joy. But when 
 the ruler of a great people falls all hearts are saddened. The 
 whole nation mourns. It seems, as though one were dead in 
 every house. There are no exceptions to the general grief; 
 unless they be found among those who love the name of reb- 
 el, or act the part of traitor. 
 
 This day, we see the legitimate fruits of rebellion. For a 
 period of four years it has defied the authority of our gov- 
 ernment. For four years, it has invented the terrible in- 
 struments of death, which have been hurled at us in vast 
 numbers. For years has it been starving our brave men, 
 who, by the events of battle, have fallen under its control. 
 It is the rebellion, which has brought untold woe upon a 
 prosperous people. But recently, it has descended to a deep- 
 er point in its baseness. We had thought, from late events, 
 that it had put forth its foulest and mightiest effort. But 
 we were mistaken. Hecatombs of men were not enough to 
 meet its demands. Its iron heart was not melted by the 
 tears and sighs of thousands of widows and orphans. It re- 
 lented not at the sight of want, and disease, and desolation. 
 
c 
 
 l;ike a great fieud, from the pit of darlincss, it ventures 
 away, and goes forth from its dungeons, its blackened fields,^ 
 the cries of anguish; and comes to the heart of the nation 
 when it is bounding with joyous emotions, and strikes a fa- 
 tal blow. Its efforts have culminated in a blow aimed di- 
 rectly at the arm of power. It had aimed to overthrow the 
 national authority by the aid of armies. But in this it fail- 
 ed. Now it leaves this indirect method of attack, and rush- 
 es forth to strike down the representative of the authority. 
 Some, no doubt, will attempt to show that the South had 
 nothing to do with this act; but, we think, no one can deny 
 that the murderer was prompted by the same spirit, which 
 raised and held together the armies of the rebellion. Men 
 will try to palliate the ofience by striving to make it appear 
 that the assassin was insane; but the plans were too skillful- 
 ly arranged, and too long in contemplation, to make that 
 plea of any avail. It was a sly, miserable emissary of this 
 rebellion who did the guilty deed. It was a plotting, cun- 
 ning wretch, deeply in sympathy with the rebellion, who 
 sought the President's life. 
 
 The consequences of his act will reach every part of our 
 nation. The loyal peo]>le will feel its loss, in that we will 
 not have his mind to direct, and his great, kind heart to 
 prompt to benevolent action. Great difficulties are to bead- 
 justed, and ho seemed peculiarly qualified by God for their 
 settlement. He took large, humane, comprehensive views 
 of the difficulties. The good of the whole nation was in hia 
 mind. The people of the South will also feel his loss. At 
 no time, has he shown any bitterness to them. Under his 
 rule, the men who fell into our hands as prisoners were treat- 
 ed with great kindness. His magnanimity has been shown 
 in his whole course, but especially, in the surrender of the 
 great army of the rebellion. Where is the man even in the 
 South, who could, with any show of reason, hate hira? In 
 all his public acts he seems to have been lifted above the fit- 
 ful gusts of passion, which seemed to control othei^ men. In 
 
this we conceive is found inucli of the grauJeur of his char- 
 acter. He disdained to meet the foe with measures prompt- 
 ed merely by passion. He seemed always to keep in mind 
 what was worthy of the great American Nation, instead of 
 what sectional prejudice and hate demanded. Disturbed as 
 we are by great gusts of passion, it might be supposed that 
 he was of necessity influenced by the same; but he seemed to' 
 live above it. 
 
 We know there are some, who think he has dealt most too' 
 leniently with those who have risen up in rebellion. He felt, 
 no doubt, that this great people could afford to treat the van- 
 quished foe with mercy ani kindness. He knew that every 
 eye was fixed upon his conduct; and that the public claimed, 
 and exercised the right of judging his actions. He acted, 
 therefore, in such a way as to gain the approval of those who 
 are humane and lenient, and at the same time, firm, and 
 just, and wise. His example had a great effect upon the 
 people of the loyal States, as is exhibited in the kindness 
 shown to the captured cities of the South, It did much al- 
 so in the South in removing bitterness from the minds of the 
 people. Indeed we see in Mr. Lincoln's course a great ex- 
 hibition of benevolence. The armies of the nation did their 
 part well. The kindness of our President did much also. 
 We are not able to estimate what good has been done by his 
 u-ise, prudent, kind course. Some at the North may hay^ 
 felt like condemning his course, and now in his death_, fancy 
 ihey see the bad effects of his kindness; but let them go to 
 the vanquished and they will find they were beginning to 
 love him, and to respect the authority he represented. We 
 think, if he could speak to us to-day, he would urge us to 
 use moderation. We are confident that his advice to U3 
 ■would he, " Deal with those who are fighting against you, 
 as I have dealt with them." Let us therefore emulate the 
 conduct of the departed. While we must ever feel, that such 
 heinous crimes as treason and murder should be severely 
 punished, let ns exercise as much moderation and kindness 
 
8 
 
 fts justice anl wisJom will allow. It would ill become \isy 
 to act toward the people of tlie Sjuth merely as passion dic-^ 
 tates. Dreadful consequences would be the result. It would- 
 ill become the minister of the Gospel, on this day of sad- 
 ness, to inflame the public mind with revenge, and infcite td 
 deeds of violence. We know that such a course, on' thepart 
 of the minister, would bo more acceptable to some than his 
 counsels of moderation. The ministry of our country, on- 
 this day when all hearts are' overwhelmed with grief, wields 
 a mighty power. We feel, as deeply as any, the enormity 
 of the guilt of those who are linked with this foul sin; but 
 we pray God to keep us from following the guidance of pas- 
 sion as we lead the service of this day. We dwell more es- 
 pecially upon this, because we know, that in the present state 
 of the public mind, very little would lead men to deeds of 
 violence. A few earnest, eloquent words for the purpose of 
 stirring up the feelings of the people may bring about that 
 result. In the name of the departed President, we beg you 
 to refrain from every act, which is prompted by bitter exas- 
 perated feeling. While we revere his memory, let us look 
 to God to bless his successor with his favor. Already has 
 he entered upon his office. Let him receive your most cordi- 
 al support. He is our Chief Magistrate. To him we now 
 look, under the guidance of God, to bring us out of these 
 troubles, through which we are passing. We should pray 
 God to fill him with the right spirit. He has great respon- 
 •ibilities resting upon him. He needs your prayers. He 
 needs the support of the nation. It is a great satisfaction to 
 all, to know that the wheels of government are rolling on as 
 though our Chief had not fallen. In other lands there would 
 have been, probably anarchy and confusion. But as far as 
 the government is concerned, it is moving on as heretofore^ 
 What a great lesson does this teach other powers. 
 
 Andrew Johnson is now President of these United States. 
 To the government which he represents you owe your allegi' 
 anoe. To him as the representative of this great govern- 
 
9 
 
 merit you owe respect and honor. ''He is the minister of 
 God to thee for good." " Whosoever resisteth the power, 
 resisteth the ordinance of God." Let us therefore speak of 
 him in a respectful manner, and do all we can to prompt 
 others to do the same. Those in our midst, who liave ad- 
 hered to this wicked rebellion, ought, at once, to abandon it. 
 They see what terrible fruit it is producing. If men persist 
 in adhering to it, even after what they have seen , we feel sure 
 its Worst fruit has not yet been produced. . 
 
 We see what mischief can be done in what we suppose are 
 tlie closing hours of the rebellion. If it had not committed 
 a single deed of violence beyond this, the assassination is 
 enough to brand the cause with eternal infamy. If it had 
 not fired a gun, or drawn a sword, this one act is enough to 
 make it detestable. We cannot blot the last four years from 
 our memory. But if we could, and it were possible to look 
 upon this great murder as the only act which the people at- 
 tached to the rebellion liad committed, we feel that it is 
 enough to make all I'ight-tb inking men witlidraw their sup- 
 port. Can any cause be good, wliicii is supported by tlio act 
 of a miserable assassin? Can the spirit of secession "he wor- 
 thy of entertainment, when it sets men to plotting in secret 
 for weeks and months, as to how they may murder a noble, 
 benevolent ruler? Can that cause be good, wln'ch by this 
 act, attempted to produce anarchy and confusion."^ God, in 
 his goodness, has not permitted all to come to pass, wliich 
 these bad men designed. They intended to take the life of 
 liim who has just entered upon the office of President, as 
 well as the lives of those who torni liis Cabinet. The lives 
 of these men, we believe, are in con.^tant jeopardy. They 
 occupy a perilous position. The rebellion is to-day inspired 
 with the spirit of murder. Murder in its foulest ibrms is 
 plotted by it. If there be one in the sound of m}' voice, wlio 
 countenances this terrible iniquity, let me say that he ojinnot 
 exonerate himself from the guilt of the sins it may comuiii:. 
 Those who sym])athize with tiaitors will oftl-r excuses for 
 
10 
 
 their feelings and prejudices; but tliey are, witliout doubt, 
 encouraging a cause which is prompted and sustained by 
 murder. In the eye of the law, the man is regarded as an 
 accomplice who gives the least aid or countenance to crime. 
 We speak calmly and with deliberation, when we say that 
 every man who sympathizes with rebellion, ought, at once, 
 to give it up. We have seen enough of its spirit. We need 
 not want to see more. But if any still cling to it, we charge 
 them with sustaining the foulest iniquity. We warn such, 
 this day of sorrow, of the consequence of adhering to this 
 great tvickedness. We tremble now for the man who boldly 
 announces his attachment to this cause. There is danger to 
 be feared, to-day, lest the angry passions of men lead tliem 
 to deeds of violence. If the people, who adhere to this wick- 
 ed cause, want other manifestations of its spirit, we believe 
 they will have them. The thunder-bolt of the accumulated 
 wrath of an outraged people will fall upon their heads. We 
 counsel those who give aid or the least countenance to the 
 8outh to give it up immediately. We urge loyal men, who 
 have been true in the dark days through which we have pass- 
 ed, to act with moderation. You have been treated with the 
 greatest indignity. (Ireat has been the peril tlirough whicli 
 you have passed. But notwithstanding all tliis. receive with 
 fraternal kindness tlie man who heartily repents of his sin. 
 Do not, do not we l)eseech you act according to the prompt- 
 ings of passion. Imitate the benevolence of Him whose name 
 we will ever hold in grateful remembrance. Deal kindly 
 where you can. Be severe where justice and right say you 
 must. 
 
 Death has laid his hand upon the strong, and noble man. 
 His tall form has fallen. The eye, Avhich looked out kindly 
 upon all mankind, is closed. Death has mounted the high 
 places of our nation. Where thronged the bright and joy- 
 ous are now found the mourners. The wail of stricken ones 
 is now heard where the song and shout resounded. 
 
 Abraham Lincoln is dead. It is "a time to weep. In the 
 
11 
 
 midst of our greatest gloom, let us never lose sight of the 
 fact, that God is on the throne. In the darkest hour, may 
 we have unshaken confidence in His willingness and power 
 to maintain the right, and overthrow the evil. To Him we 
 look in this time of weeping, and pray that out of this dis- 
 pensation. of His Providence, may soon come that which will 
 he of great benefit to us. We humbly pray God to bless our 
 time ot weeping to our good. We do not pretend to under- 
 stand this dispensation of Providence, but we do know 
 that all things will work together for good to the cause of 
 truth and righteousness. 
 
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 LB S '12 
 
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