Book A\ia. Lessons ffom Itie Lfe and Death of a Good Bu er A DISCOURSE DELIVERED ON THE Bt^i of Mdkml Wit J TJ 3Sr E 1, 1865, iMtiitig IN CHRIST CHURCH, CINCINNATI. By Kev. JOHN W. McCAKTY RECTOR or THK PARISH. A. B., CIlSrCINNATI: 1 CRINTED BY JOS. B. BOYD, 25 WEST FOURTH STREET, 18G6. LESSONS M50M THE LIFE AND DEATH OF A GOOD RULER. A DISCOURSE 1) K L X V K E E LI IN CHRIST C H U R C H , C 1 X C I N N A T I , O . , (On the gat! jjf ^atioiuU pouvnintj, •TJJlSrF. 1st, 1865. By Rev. .JOHN W. McCAETY, A. B RrCTOI! or THK I'ARISH. CINC'INNA.T1: I'RINTEI) HY JOS. B. BOYD, i'; WEST FOURTH .'-TREET, 1 8G5. ,3 ,^1 . -^ DAY OF NATIilNAl, MOUKNlMi. T(l KK HEAP IN THB CHCUCHES OF THK DIOCESK dl' OHIO, AT MOKMMi I'lt.VVKR OS THK I.ASfT SDXUAY OK THIS MONTH. ' 7h t/ie Clerfiii awl Laibi of Hie Dio<'esr : — Brkthkkn : — Our respectful iittt-ntion U i-illcd to tlu' tbllowiiiiiProflaniMtion of the Governor of this State: — •'The State ok Ohio, Executive Department, ■•C'oLi'MHrs, Muyl, 186'). "In view of the atHictions of Divine I'rovidence upon tlie nation, the Pres- ident of the United States has designated Thuksday, the kirst day of- Junb next, as a day of humiliation and mourning, and recommended 'that our people on that day, in their respective places of worship, unite in solemn service to Almighty God in memory of the good man who has been removed, so that all shall he occupied at the same time in contemplation of his virtues, and sorrow for his sudden and violent end.' " Fully concurring with his Excellency, the Tresident, in this measure, I do recommend to the people of the State of Ohio a united and solemn observ- ance of the same ; that all places of business be closed, and that the day be observed as a Sabbath of the Nation; that all our people unite, not only in humiliation before the Lord, and contemplation of the services and virtues of the great and good man who has been taken away from us, but in earnest prayer that Almighty God will sanetify this great affliction to us as a nation and a people; that in His wise providence He will rule all these things for our good, and that he will strengthen and guide nur present rulers, and endow them with wisdom to conduct the nati(tn to peace and unity again. "In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, the day and year first above written. "JOHN BROUGH." In due respect to thi.-> united recommendation of the Chief Magistrate of the Nation, and of the Governor of the State of Ohio, and in deep sympathy with the sorrow of a bereaved people, mourning the death of our late most honored President, whose administration God so wonderfully guided and prospered ; I exhort the Clergy and Laity of this Diocese, with one heart and mind, to assemble in their several churches, on the first day of June, forsak- ing all worldly care and business, and uniting together in humiliation and prayer, that our merciful God and Father, who in the way of his judgments, has given us such signal deliverance, and thi-ough great dangers and trials, has preserved to us unimpaired our great national blessings and privileges may be pleased to sanctify to us our recent most grievous afflietioii that we may the more learn the true wisdom of the fear of God, and obedience to all Hi- Will. CHAS. P. McILLVAINE, Bin hup of f/n; Diocese of Oh to. CIN-CINNA.TI. May :>, 13Gr>. CORRESPONDENCE. Cincinnati, 0., June 2, 1865. Rev. J. W. McCakty, Rector of Christ Church : — Dear Sir: We heard the discourse you delivered yesterdny with great pleasure, and would now express our cordial sympathy with its spirit, ae well as our thorough assent to the great truths you so ably vindicated. We respectfully ask that you would furnish a copy for publication. Your friends and parishioners, B. Rtorer. D. K. EsTE. N. Foster. P. G. Fore. A. II. McGUFFEY. H. E. FooTE. A. C. Neavk. S. P. Bishop. Christ Church Vestry Room, Cincinnati, June 6, 1865. To Hon. Bellamy Storeh, a?id Others: — Gentlemen : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a very kind and complimentary communication from you, bearing date of 2d inst., requesting a copy of the discourse delivered by me, the day before, in Christ, Church. In reply, I would say, that, after thinking the matter ..ver, I have concluded to place the manuscript at your disposal. At first I felt very reluctant to offer it for publication; but, then, on the other hand, I reasoned, that, as the sentiments expressed in my discourse, have approved themselves to your judgment, and to that of others not able to be present at its delivery, whose opinions I also respect, I do not feel at liberty to decline a compliance with the request for its publication. Besides, we live in times when sentiments of a decisive character lose almost all their value by being held too much in reserve. While, then, it affords me very groat pleasure to think I shall see my humble effort put within reach of the public, there is an intensely greater pleasure in the assurance that therein I shall also sec the opinions of leading gentlemen of our congregation — some of whom are known, not only in all the churches, but to the nation. Its publication, in a certain sense, makes this, not so much my discourse, as an instrumentality to which Christ Church defines her position and principles to the Christian public. Believe me, affectionately, your friend and Pastor, JOHN W. McCARTY. DISCOURSE II Samoel, iii, 38. — "Know ye not that, there is a prince and a great man fallen this day'?' It is seldom that a gi-eat nation is called to the throne of God under circumstances more solemn than those of to-day. Nay, since time had its origin, there never was such a spectacle as the uplifted features of our continent — might I not say of all the continents? — present to Heaven to-day. It is the spectacle of a world acknowledging and adoring its almighty Monarch ! It is the spectacle of subdued humanity! It is pride wearing sackcloth, while God wears the crown! It is haughty man humbled ; vain-boasting man subdued ; ambitious man checked ; the so-called lord of creation made to feel that he is but dust; and God, sovereign and supreme, recognized on the throne, and holding the reins of the univei-se ! Ah, this a solemn scene in the magniticent drama of the eternal and universal empire ! It is a solemn day. too, in the history of the human race. Not since man had his origin, has mankind had such impress- ive surroundings. War's long, protracted, and bloody carnival is over. The grim monster's voice, trained to most startling loudness for four terrible years, is hushed. Reeking with bloody and ferocious aspect, he stands among us, but his occu- pation is gone. The sword is sheathed. The battle-flag is furled. The cannon and the drum no more respond to his be- hests. A continent rocked to and fro under his martial tramp, but the alarming vibrations have ceased. ])eath and Desola- tion were growing ricli upon his spoils: but no more shall the}'^ gather in his cruel trail. Come, sweet Peace! take the Hcepter from his inhuma)! grasji, and bid this, thine enemy and ours, be gone. Ah! we feel th}- i-efreshi ng breath to-day. AVe realize thy calm; -the very air whispers thy sweetness; the very sunshine reflects upon us thine inspiring promises of pros- perity and joy. And Liberty, sweet nymph, stands, too, among us to-day, wearing an aspect of new hope! She holds all her wards by the hand to-da}'. They are casting awaj" their broken chains into the abyss of oblivion, and Libei't}' is writing their names, for the tirst time, upon the i-olls of humanity. Justice is standing by. smiling at this touching transaction, as mucli as at her own immortal triumph, or at the new diadem in her im- mortal ci'own. The shouting <)f our victorious citizen-soldiers, ringing in the national atmosphere, is fitting music to this mo- nienti)us occasion. And if we pause to feel the full impressive- ness of all combined, thei-e is something that whispers in our hearts that the spirits of the illusti-ious dead are not to-day uninterested spectators. But let us not forget — let not the magnificence of our sur- roundings tempt us to forget — why we are here to-day. Let not our eyes be turned back from heaven becaiise there are mme splendid accompaniments with us here on earth. Let not the majesty of our positiatliway. He was one of tho.se illustrious few who ilid not tind, as the result of ambitious and painful eifort, the world of jjolitics: the world of politics found him. He stands before us, not like the victorious gladiator, Avho is the champion of the arena of strife, :Lad who is entitled to hold his post of honor on account of the victims he has sacrificed to his superior powers : no, for our hero's superior merits were in the superiority of soul. His jjrOAvess is his goodness. He is a conqueror, because he is good. He has no record of political heads decapitated, or political prin- ciples trampled upon to bring forward. No, he was nursed in the lap of virtue. Peace was his guardian angel. Virtue, therefore, exalted him, and Peace made ehoice of him to rees- tablish her in the beautiful home, from whence anarchy and rebellion attempted to drive her away for ever. With this man's earlier history we have no more to do tluu) ti) see in it the steps leading to his exalted ascent. He is ours <)nly from the time the Nation appointed him; but, since that time, he is no jnore his own. He l)elongs ti; us, to the world, and to posterity. It seems as if 'twere only a few days since that his name was first announced as the nominee of one of the great political parties of five years ago. To what shall we compare our great nation at that time? Shall we call it a vast volcano i)i tliosc wonderful regions which childish fancy conceived as the realms ••jf the iriants? Its terrible rumblings were ln-ai-d ovei- the 8 world. Its formidable sides heaved in reaction from the fierce fires, which struck it within in ever}' direction, in order to find vent, and rush out with molten floods of ruin and des- olation. The great men themselves were terrified. Fear and consternation paled ever}^ face. Every heai't was convulsed. Opinions relative to the threatened danger, opinions of every character and kind, were given. What can be done? The political giants gathered in counsels. A great division, charac- teristic of leading opinions took place. One party was for strengthening the mountain sides with chains c/f old conser- vatisms forged heavier and stronger. Its motto was " Let the fires burn as fiercely as they will, provided only we keep them confined." What mattered it that thev must burst throujrh some day, provided it is not our day. What care we for posterity? Patch up the weak spots. Disguise the real danger of the case. Let there be, at least, the semblance of unity. Eetter any thing than that the bursting flames should mar the symmetry of our territory, or break its unity and integrity. I need not tell you, now, that it was not this multitude which named our great representative of jirogress. The principles of the other assembly of counsellors were, of course, diff'erentl}' advocated. Their voice was, "Let us suppress the eruption, if possible. Unity and integrity at any cost, except that of liberty and justice. But no more chains, no more old conservatisms, no more compromises, no more flinching from the claims of right, no more insults to Liberty. Let the volcanic fires burst forth, if the}^ must; we will meet them calmly. Let ruin and disaster mar our fixir empire; we will stand up like men. Let our lines be broken, if it is necessary, we will not rest until they are reunited more firmly and more gloriously than ever. Let treason, if it dare, puncture some weak spot, so that the full flood of burning desolation will find vent; it can not injure truth and right, nor quench the spirit of the brave hearts who are sworn to sustain them. Our province it shall not be to precipitate the day of danger and terror ; but we shall be prepared for its exigencies, for we believe it is best that the volcanic force should expend itself Till then, we can hardly hope for permanent security and safetv." Such were the views of the ijreat men who selected him we mourn to-da}', as their representative. Sueh the spirit of the phitform of which he was only the visible and living embodiment. The jJublic voice to-day, declares as to the wisdom of these decisions, and as to the ability and fidelity of him who fell in discharge of the duties they imposed. We know the issues of the case. Treason defiantly let loose the pent-up fires. Eebellion and AVar rushed ibrth at once. Gloom gathered in the skies of our IN'ational destiny. The very air crackled when the devouring flames found vent. The mountain rocked to its very base. Men were divided by more distinct lines than ever. It was no longer party spirit merely, it was conservatism and progress at war. It was the counterfeit of Liberty being jDunished and annihilated by the enraged god- dess herself And meanwhile the molten lava of old notions of fossilized ])rinciples, of defunct priviliges, of oligarchical pretensions, of political rottenness, mingled in one angry stream, was rushing out from beneath the foundations, carrying much destruction and terror with it; but, even now, fast cooling and solidif^'ing, and forming above a purer and better soil, over whose surface the verdant beauty of luxuriance and life shall at once gather to beautify and enrich evermore the home which for herself and her favored ones. Liberty has chosen. We have seen these issues, but, amid the turbulence and turmoil, we have watched the conduct and leadership of him who held the chief official chair in Liberty's temple, and we Avere not disappointed. Amid the terrible convulsion, he stood calm, and placid, and dignified. When angry passion threatened to prevail, his prudent counsels dissijiated it. When disaster promoted despondency, his sanguine nature inspired courage. When success excited arrogance, his mild and sympathetic heart suggested that even the vanquished had human rights. His was one of those strange, inflexible natures, true to its own impulses, no matter how the force of the popular current went. So, wdien the nation advocated haste, he appeared tardy, and wlien the nation grew languid, he apjieared too impetuous. And yet, in all, he kept true time to the measures beat by the popular heart. Whether in advance or following, he knew the spirit of the age, he felt the feelings of the ])eople, and he nobly and faithfully interpreted both. The haughty crest of war was 10 fielil ill check Ijy hi^ wisdom, even when aiiiiiuitod by his iii- «piration. Even Libei-ty learned to listen more patiently to thr groans of her long oppi'esscd children, and tu witness mon- patientls- the horrible inhumanities pei-petrated n])0]i jier war- worn heroes, in wretched pens of starvation, and disease. an(t madnes.s, and death, and to wait more patiently for the day of bettei- things, when soothed and encouraged b}- him whose contidence in the right and in the God of right, taught him "to do Justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God." -:'Foi-do not imagine that this great man was insensible t(r religious feelings at the head of a nation. an<.l in the leadershi]> of her victorious struggle. Certainly, if there be any occasion in which a soul, great in its own grandeur and perfection, is in danger of forgetting God. it is in those illustrious station.s where a man becomes as a god to others, by the prudence of his conduct, the mightiness of his courage, the strength of hin arm. the number of his adherents, and the force of his consti- tuents — and whose tidelity to tlie cause of right, inspires all the rest of the world with love, admiration, or even tei-ror — even his suri'oundings — the tramp of messengers and the glitter of victoi'ious arms — the marchings of troops — their gloriou.^ achii'vements — and their dying words— the solemnity of Cabi- net meetings — the grave discussions, the important decisions. tlie momentous results — all these assault the soul on so many sides, that, being unchecked by wisdoni and moderation, it knows neither (iod nor itself. But do religion and humility ever ap})ear more majestic than when they keep the heart of a man, though in so exalted a jioint of glory, in that submission and dependence Avhich the creatiire always owes to the Sovereigiii of the Universe? Ah, brethren, he of whom we spe:ik to-day. was never n^ore sensible that there was a God over his head, than on those extraordinary occasions, when others generally forget their Creator. It was then his prayers were most fervent. When he lirst left his home to ascend the Presidential chair, his legacy to his friends was. "I leave you with the request that you pray for me." and that request moved the hearts and lips of millions. During the four years of his momentous adminis- Note. — Vide, " Oraijons Funebres, par M. Flechier."' 11 tration, marked by man}' a dark and doubtful hour, he thought and praved, and fought and forgave, nintil the dawn of victory already tinged the horizon. *And when he penned his last official document, there was enough of the Christian visible in it to attract the attention, and call out the praise of even cold and unfriendly Euroj^e. t Ah, it is very difficult to be victori- ous and humble at the same time. Success leaves a pleasure in the heart that often excludes all other thoughts. We ascribe to ourselves the superiority of power and strength. We crown ourselves with our own hands. We form a secret triumph in ourselves ; we look upon those laurels which are gathered with labor and pains, and are often sprinkled with our blood, as our property. And even when we give God solemn thanks, and hang up our victorious banners in His temples, what danger is there that vanity will not extin- guish some part of the acknowledgment that encomiums to self will not detract from unreserved gratitude to God, and that self will reserve some little portion of the incense wo are going- to burn upon His altars ? It was, on such occasions, that our late President, divesting himself of all such pretensions, ascribed all the glory to Him to whom alone it lawfully belongs. II. There is in the character of every great hero that which fostens us to its contemplation. We love to linger near it, and view it in every possible light; for greatness, either in the phy- sical world or in the human world, can not be comprehended at a glance, or appreciated by too rapid a survey. Its lines of light must be studied seriatim. We have but glanced at a few points of our departed hero; we can not linger longer with him now ; we must sum up his greatness in a few words. God gave him a life of hard, hard work. Meeting him first in the flinty valley ■•■■ XoTK. — The following are some of the lirlng words whicli remain to us a.s the leu;acy of our dead President: "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right; as God gives us to sec the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are engaged in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care fur him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphans, to do all which may cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations. — Second Irian f/K ml. t .M. Fiechier. 12 of humility, the Almighty took him by the hand and educated him in the nobility of toil. From thence the Divine hand led him up the mountain steep of intellectual toil, and, as he ascended, it was discovered that the man possessed a conscience ; and then the Divine Providence led him into the great battle of life — the battle of life and liberty and the right, and when he was well tried, another Providential movement placed him in the Executive chair of the nation: and there I need not trace for you his history; for step by step he rose in greatness before us, holding high over the carnival of war, the olive branch to an infatuated and infuriated people, who icould not look : yet is he not disconcerted thereby ^breathing peace over a martial conti- nent, but unheard, because the atmosphere of passion and ambition would not waft its tender and conciliating messages — until, all dispassionate, he reached the pinnacle where he might untrammeled strike the clarion of liberty, and startle, thereby, the world from its slumbers. Ah, the century will have closed before the echoes of emancipation shall be hushed — that single act shall live as long as progress is the law of the world. When the pillars of Waterloo and Bunker Hill, like an Egyptian obelisk, shall have lost their inscriptions and their meaning, Freedoms monument shall reinain "a rock amidst the flood of time." No wonder the world woke as from a dream. No wonder crowns and scepters grew cowardly, and the hammer and the anvil grew royal ! No wonder that caste grew pale, and industry shouted for joy! No wonder the eyes of the world turned upon this great leader of liberty's march. But the wonder is, the world beheld the man in his simplicity and honesty still, nothing affected by his sublime ascent, except that, at every upward step, he recognized more clearly the finger of Grod, and bowed with all the more reverential homage to its significant and earth-embrac- ing indications. And, Oh, grander and more inspiring thought than all, when, at the very loftiest summit of his greatness, his eye caught the splendor of the cross of Jesus, and his heart embraced the Redeeming Savior! *It was about a month previous to his unex])ected death I was put in possession of the spoken testimony of this great man, that, as he gazed upon the memor- able fields of Gettysburg, and recalled the terrible things trans- * Vide Appendix A. 13 acted there, written there in letters of blood, he could not but realize the necensity of a Divine atonement for human sin, and that, therefore, he must not withhold his heart's love from his Savior. Oh, there is something snbliine in such a life! It grows greater still as we gaze upon it ; it makes iis realize that the Sampson of Bible history is not a myth; for in his life, like Sampson, he carried away the gates of the Gaza of rebellion ; in his death, like Sampson, he pulled down the pillars of the temple of rebellion. " In his death," — alas, that we have to say it! — '-in his death," — alas, that this dark drapery still keeps it fresh in memory — " in his death!"'* Oh, terrible God, and yet just in Thy dealings with the children of men, Thou disposest both of rulers and nations, to accomplish Thy will, and make us fear Thy judgm^ts. Thy power overthrows those whom Thy power had raised. Thou sacrificest great victims to thine own sovereign greatness, and Thou strikest, when Thou thinkest fit, those illustrious lieads, which thine own hand hast so often crowned. I did not intend to pronounce a eulogy, but I could not help it. Truly, it is hard to look away from the greatness of one whom God has made great. Perhaps there are some here to-day who do not see as I see, who have some other ideal before their mind's eye, of whose claims to greatness they are somewhat jealous. Well, at least, it can be said, so as to break down all thoughts of rivalry, my hero is now an occupant of that unseen Kingdom t 'where there is uo fear of rivals, and where com- petitors view one anothei- without jealousy." III. But, I can not close to-day without viewing our subject in another light. Abraham Lincoln i'ej)0ses in the silent tomb, but the spirit, which tound embodiment in liim. still survives, and is in no danger of ceasing to exist. For, after all. what was this man any moiT than the represent- ative of the American people? As long as they live, he virtually lives : his enemies are the enemies of the people, his principles are the ])eop]o's principles. The people's triumphs are his, even if nought earthly but his ashes remain to participate therein. When, therefore, we contemplate his meinory to-day, it is only fitting that we contemplate the JSational era. of which his ad- ministrative life has been but the index. When we reflect that * Oraison Funiebre do M. Turenne. t Bo.suet. 14 the hand which struck him down, and the power which prompted the stroke, aimed not so much at the man, as at the National heart, it is fitting we recall the dangers and the deliverances of those momentous daj's. What, then, has been the chief danger? Treason, treason in high places, treason rampant. It has been the era of treason arrayed against loyalty, aiming at dominion, defiant of consti- tuted law, audaciously attempting National disintegration, deceiving one-half the world, bribing the other, (and that by false promises) to aid its usurpation. Let us analyze the insid- iousness and audacity of its plans, in order to have plainly before our minds the formidable forces it led in its onslaught upon our National Constitution and law. 1. Far back in our national history, treason infused its pestiferous influence into our nation by s(> tampering with rulers and people as to promote disobedience to the law of God. "Let the Constitution be the law," was its sage advice. Sin was thus legalized. We can have no higher laAV, no other ground of final appeal, no code of more binding authority, than the Constitution as it is. Why, we can scarcely believe to-day that principles so fanatical were ever advocated ; but then we can well remem- ber when he was branded as the fanatic who had courage enough to pronounce the Constitution imperfect, and who had daring enough to state its imperfections. That was the first grand attempt of treason. Truly, I must believe, the evil spirit himself was pi'esent to prompt the measure. It was a master- stroke of infernal sti-ategy, which, when the bulwarks of National safety were shaken, would leave the people without the pro- tection of a justly oifended and angry God. 2. But, by-and-b_y, treason brought in its more ostensible pretext in the shape of slavery. The way was well paved by the principle just alluded to. Treason cried aloud, the Consti- tution recognizes and sustains this institution ; how dare j'ou, then, call it in question from the law of God ? Treason had no heart to interpret the precept, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" It had no soul in which to weigh the golden rule : " All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets." It could very glibly descant upon the virtuous act of Paul, who sent back , 15 Onesimus to Philemon; but it took good care to quote Scripture, just as the arehtraitor did when tempting Immannel, namely, just enough to suit its own villiany; for it never told us, that when Paul sent Onesimus hack, he very s])eeitically mentions, "No longer as a slave, but above a slave, a brother beloved."' But, wliat mattered all this to treason ? It had unsettled men's minds, as to the final appeal of the law of God in any ease. And so it pushed its idol into the foreground with impudent arrogance, and de- manded that Freedom, in the name of Freedom's God, should cede it an empire! What shall I say? Was the insulted God inactive ? Did the Almighty brook the insult ? Ah, He sent out the blast of his indignation, and invoked the winds and waves, iind the tempest arose. He touched the land with the finger of His providence, and the rumbling of the eai'th-ost »iortem testimony, manufactured to suit a special occasion ; but simply an honest word, spoken while yet the man lived ; when no one expected his death ; when from his spirit and conduct, every one was prepared to believe it. Often did I think over it, while yet he lived, to thank God — often have I thought of it since he died, only to thank God more fer- vently, for such soul cheering testimony : Probably no President nf the United States was ever the subject of more earnest prayers than has been Abraham Lincoln, and from published state- ments it is gratifying to believe that those prayers have been answered. At a recent Sabbath-school convention in Massachusetts, a speaker stated that a friend of his, during an interview with Mr. Lincoln, asked him if he loved Jksus. The President buried his face in his handkerchief and wept. He then said: "When I left home to take this chair of state, I requested my country- men to pray for me. I was not then a Christian. When iny son died — the severest trial of my lift- — I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettys- burg, and lo()k(.'d upon the graves of our dead heroes that had fallen in defense of their country, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ. / do love Jesus." Rev. Mr. Adams, of Philadelphia, stated in his Thanksgiving sermon, that, having an appointment to meet the President at 5 o'clock in the morning,, he went a quarter of an hour before the time. While waiting for the hour, he heard a voice in the next room as if in grave conversation, and asked the servant, "Who is talking in the next room?" "It is the President, sir." "Is any body with him?" "No, sir; he is reading the Bible." "Is that his habit so early in the morning?" "Yes, sir; he spends every morning, from 4 to= 3 o'clock, in reading the Scrii*tures and praying." ',iw LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ill II III iilllii 11 mmm ili illlli 012 025 615 4 § '^»#(»Mf^'' m