the storm. They are the brighter, for the very rainbow which the tears of our grief bend over it. The blood of Abraham Lincoln has crimsoned every stripe, and his bright soul shines out as its central star. Let it enfold his ashes to-day, tenderly as a nation's love, and wave over his last resting place, an eternal emblem of peace.

Yes, we are rich to-day, too rich, too great, for any vindictive passion, any haste in wrath. Never had nation such opportunities for moral greatness as ours. We have won greatness in patriotic fervor, in heroism, as well as in resources: now let us crown all with the greatness of forbearance. The law for murder is fixed by the consent of the world. Let it be executed legally. But the law for treason is a shifting code, written through all history in blood, but not based, as the other, on the moral sense of mankind. Let us show that we can afford what no other nation has ever given, magnanimity to a fallen foe. The effect of such a policy, boldly and thoroughly pursued, upon Europe, on posterity, above all on our own national character, can scarcely be estimated. would strengthen the principle of self-government more than all our victories in war. For it would show that this is not a triumph only of strength, but of law; of that sublime law which can vindicate and administer itself; which can conquer the spirit of treason in the heart, and make patriots of a community of traitors. Without one feeling of sympathy

It

or regard for the murderers of our prisoners and of our President, but because we regard ourselves and law, we must leave all crime to the regular administration of law, we must pardon all but that which is crime by all human codes; and so do greatly the work of greatness.

It is in this spirit, applying the Christian rule of love to our political action, that we can act wisely in this and in every crisis. Love to God, our country and truth, will inspire and consecrate hatred to every spirit that opposes these, and the halo of God's own smile will be upon the nation, as, in the pure spirit of patriotism, we execute his law upon the second crime of history, done on the anniversary of the first and darkest, the murder of the Saviour of the world. Let it be in this spirit of love that the nation stands to-day before its dead, and, yearning with affectionate hope for the return of its thankless children, yet vows undying hatred to the treason that struck him down. By every holy bond that ties men to a solemn duty, we will drive out that satanic inspiration from the land; we will have a nation purified, regenerate, dedicated in love as a shrine to the God of liberty. Accepting as our leaders those who may be spared us by Him, who, while "he buries his workmen, carries on his work," we will do our work, which is his, and then lie down with our greatest, under the flag he died for.

DISCOURSE Delivered at the Third STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

BY REV. DAVID T. ELLIOTT.

And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah.-1 SAMUEL, xxv, 1.

A spirit of general mourning and universal sorrow swept over the whole land of Palestine. In every household and hamlet, as well as in town and city, a dark shadow rested upon the people. The occasion, the death of Samuel, called up the most sacred reminiscences and awakened the deepest anxieties. Samuel, under the theocratic system of government with which God had honored this nation, was the only visible representative of their glorious King, and the accredited minister between the people and their Divine Sovereign. And when, in their folly, they desired a visible king, that they might resemble the nations surrounding them, he under God was their stay and confidence during the period of their political revolution. Known and honored for his remarkable piety, purity and integrity, a patriotic, devoted man, set apart to the service of God and his own nation, he had evinced the strongest attachment to the people, and this fact joined to his superior abilities in providing for all the interests of all classes of citizens, had made him the general favorite, unto whom they looked for counsel, and upon whose known in

tegrity they relied, without distrust. And thus it was that all the people felt his death as a personal afflic tion and mourned it as a public calamity. In view of these facts, this general sorrow this universal gathering of all the people was a fitting tribute to his eminence and worth, a becoming expression of a nation's appreciation of his sincere devotion and unswerving fidelity to all the trusts committed to his hands. We call your attention to this case at this time, as indicating the proprieties of such an occasion, as well as suitably introducing the subject we are, this day, called together to contemplate.

Peculiar and interesting as were the circumstances of the Jewish nation upon the occasion of Samuel's death, they but in part suggest the peculiar and impressive influences that surround this occasion in our national history. A nation greater than the Jews are overwhelmed in sadness and grief. A loss such as Israel could not feel in the death of their beloved and honored prophet (who was full of years and was called away by the visitation of God), has befallen our beloved country and is felt as irreparable by a great nation. On the evening of the fourteenth of April last, fell by the hand of the assassin, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America. He died a martyr for his country and the glorious principle of universal liberty. We are met to-day to recount his virtues, study his character, and pay our grateful tribute to his eminent abilities and moral

worth. In this discourse we propose to consider the causes that developed the spirit that devised and accomplished this sad event, his assassination. Then to look at the history, character and doings of our late chief magistrate, and close with such practical reflections as may seem suitable to the occasion.

In undertaking so much in the compass of a single discourse, you will see that our sketch must be very meagre and imperfect. In looking for the influences that culminated in this terrible affliction, we ask you to go back with us to the earliest period of our national history. In the year 1776 the people of the colonies of North America made a bid for independence. They heroically took their stand upon the rights of man. They published and proclaimed as their honest belief the doctrine of universal equality and inalienable rights, saying "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Appealing to God as the judge of their sincerity and of the rectitude of their intentions, they asked and received the support and confidence of the people at home, and also the sympathy and assistance of people abroad. Inspired by these sentiments they rose with the struggle, until under God they attained victory and nationality. It was the sublime idea of the equality and rights of man that developed and invigorated manhood into