A MOURNFUL EASTER. A DISCOURSE DELIVERED IN THE CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY, WASHINGTON, D. C., On EASTER DAY, APRIL 19, 1865, BY THE RECTOR, REV. CHARLES H. HALL, D. D. BEING THE SECOND DAY AFTER THE ASSASSINATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE WASHINGTON: Jur.z6 U.S.6302.76 1866, Jan. 17. By Exchance of Dup: Uzalis with Boston Public Library, CORRESPONDENCE REV. CHARLES H. HALL, D. D. 359 H STREET, WASHINGTON CITY, April 17, 1865. DEAR SIR-At a meeting of the Congregation of Epiphany Church, this evening, the undersigned were appointed a committee to express to you the gratification with which they listened to the sermon which you delivered on Easter morning, and to request a copy thereof for publication. We, therefore, respectfully request that you furnish us a copy at your earliest convenience. WASHINGTON, EPIPHANY RECTORY, April 19, 1865. TO MESSRS. CHARLES KNAP, ST. JOHN B. L. SKINNER, THOS. R. WILSON. GENTLEMEN :-The wish of the Congregation of Epiphany Church in a matter of this kind is, of course, law with us; and I herewith send you the manuscript of the Sermon of Easter Sunday morning. It is a simple word of feeling from all our hearts, and may possibly be interesting and useful to others. We who have known the private history of the distinguished subject of the Discourse as a neighbor, as well as his official actions as the Chief Magistrate of the nation, I doubt not all, without exception, will feel disposed with me to complete the passage of the poet to which I have alluded: "Besides this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against The deep damnation of his taking off." As my own small tribute to his memory, who has given me reasons of my own for lamenting him, I commit the Discourse to you and the Congregation of the Epiphany, with assurances of my esteem. These Prayers for the Country were used between the Morning Prayer and the Order of the Holy Communion. PRAYER. ALMIGHTY GOD, whose kingdom is everlasting and power infinite; Have mercy upon the whole Church and Country; and so rule the hearts of those who are in chief power and authority in this Nation, that they, knowing Whose ministers they are, may above all things seek Thy honor and glory; and that we, and all those who are subject to their administration of the Constitution and Laws by which they and we are governed, duly considering WHOSE authority they bear, may faithfully serve, honor, and humbly obey the law of the land by them administered and executed, in Thee and for Thee, according to Thy blessed Word and Ordinance; through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, Who, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth ever, world without end. Amen. MOST GRACIOUS GOD, we humbly beseech Thee, as for the people of these United States in general, so especially for all those who in Council are now called on to assist in restoring to peaceful and orderly course the affairs of this whole Nation; that Thou wouldst be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations, and to guide and further their proceedings, to the advancement of Thy glory, the good of Thy Church, the safety, honor, and welfare of Thy people; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavors, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety may be established among us for all |