Memorial Services at South Bend, St. Paul, Louisville, Nashville, Kalamazoo and Peoria

So widely was Mr. Bliss known, and so warmly was he beloved, that the grief at his death was well-nigh universal among all professing the faith of Jesus. Not alone at Some and Chicago, but at numerous other places, memorial services were held in honor of the dead singer. We have culled largely from the newspaper reports of these services, and present them here in connected form, as a part of the record this book was designed to perpetuate.

On the evening of January 21, a large congregation assembled at the Keformed Church in South Bend, Indiana, to attend the services held there in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Bliss, which were conducted by the pastor. Rev. N. D. Williamson. The sougs sung were of Mr. Bliss’ own composition, and were very effectively rendered by the choir and congregation. Two — “Eternity “and” Almost Persuaded “— were sung as solos by Miss Maud Wellman. The pastor enjoyed the personal acquaintance of Mr. Bliss, and the affectionate regard which he entertained for him was evident in the deep feeling betrayed by the tones of his voice in discoursing of his unspeakably sad fate. Many of the congregation also knew Mr. and Mrs. Bliss, and more than one gave evidence of tears to the manner in which their hearts were touched by the dreadful story. At the close of the sermon, Prof. J. Sydenham Duer read with tender effect the lines written on Mr. Bliss’ death by Rev. Dr. Pierson, of Detroit, entitled “The Silent Harp.’’ Hon. Schuyler CoKax had intended to be present and pay a tribute to the memory of Mr. Bliss, in lieu of which he sent a tender and beautiful letter, which was read by the pastor. Our limits forbid our giving it space.

Mr. Williamson selected as his text Revelation xiv. 13:” Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord — that they may rest from their lators, and their works do follow them.’* We copy the greater portion of his discourse:

To “die in the Lord” is indeed blessed. But to die in the Lord it is not needful that you die in your bed, at the close of a wasting sickness, attended by skillful physicians, surrounded by tearful friends, and bearing witness with your dying breath to the mercy of the Lord. To die in the Lord it is not necessary to have your body gamitured by all the taste and skill that loving friends and experienced undertakers can furnish, nor to have it followed by a long train of relatives and friends, nor to have it deposited in the grave or the tomb amid the sobbing of the multitude, nor to have the spot visited by admiring friends during the years and centuries that follow.

To those who die in the Lord, death may come on the highway with thundering crash, with shrieks and moans, and suffocated breath, and mangled limbs, and frost, and fire, and storm-winds; and it may turn the body into undistinguished ashes, mingled with the snows and waters, so that no friend who seeks them with the intensest gaze of agony, that he may bear them to their sepulture, and no admirer who would beautify the earth that covers them with garlands of gratitude, can tell where they are.

For even amid the tornado crash, the rending earthquake, and the consuming fire, the God of the elements and the God of grace can enwrap their souls in His everlasting arms of peace, and bear them with swifter than lightning wing into the realms of the painless and the glorified. And He can keep watch and guard over the ashes of their physical decay, until the dawning of the resurrection morn, when the power that made the God like Adam out of the dust of the earth will restore them in Christ like forms of excellence and glory I And the emphasis that such a departure gives to the faith and labors of a godly life, may carry the praises of the Lord, through the instrumentality of that life, infinitely farther on the broad world and down the reaches of time than a thousand peaceful death-bed utterances possibly could do. Yes! those whose memories we honor to-night — who went into eternity on the sad evening of the 29th of December, from the Ashtabula bridge, amid the terrors and horrors of that carnival of death and destruction, without any premonition of the approach of the grim monster in his most hideous mien, and whose physical forms disappeared from human view in that valley of death as completely as that of Moses did on Mount Nebo when the Lord buried him — died in the Lord, and of them the “voice from heaven” is “heard saying unto me, write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.”

Professor Bliss and his wife went to Rome, Bradford county. Pa., to spend the holidays, preparatory to entering with Major Whipple on the labors of succeeding the brethren Moody and Sankey in the tabernacle work in Chicago. Their last visit in Home was passed not wholly in tarrying with their relatives and friends, but in assisting in a series of religious meetings during the last week of the year. The last night Professor Bliss was in Rome, which was Wednesday night, December 27th. he sang a sacred song, the music of his own composing, and the words written by his wife, entitled Hold Fast till I Come/* As he was about to sing it, he remarked, “Here is a song I have never sung in public, and I don’t know as I shall ever sing it again.” This song is the last one we have heard of his singing in the earthly assemblies of the saints.

On Thursday morning, they left Rome. On Friday evening just before dark, Professor Bliss was seen by a passenger whose life was spared, sitting in a car by the side of his wife, with his open Bible on his knee, and both seemed intently engaged in the study of the Sacred Word, while he was composing a Bible song, which earth was never to hear. And this is the last we know of them in the body. The report that it was Professor Bliss who escaped from a burning car, and went back to rescue his wife, and perished with her, may be true; it would be just like his tender, generous, manly nature; but we do not know.

The ill-fated train in which our friends had embarked, was made up of two express and two baggage cars, two day passenger cars, one drawing-room car, and four sleepers — eleven cars in all — drawn by two locomotives. As it was crossing the chasm spanned by. the Ashtabula bridge, which was only about one-fourth the length of the train, the first locomotive had barely reached the farther abutment, when the bridge went down sixty feet, carrying with it the other locomotive and the cars that followed it; and then, oh, horror of horrors! the other cars, with their heated stoves, and lighted candles, and precious freight of human lives and hopes, went leaping down one after another, one on the top of the other, crashing through each other, and as they leaped headlong into the chasm, the fiery stoves went sweeping through some of them from one end to the other, with their ponderous, blistering force, crushing, mangling, and burning the hapless inmates. And soon the bright light, shooting its red glare heavenwards, told the watchers at the station — some of whom are with us to-night, who also had the blessed privilege of ministering there to the wants of numbers of the wounded — the stoiy that was hissing with tongues of flame in the ears of the pinioned prisoners in the deadly gorge below, that the fire fiend was completing the work of the wrecking fiend.

What passed between our sunny-hearted friend and his noble wife in these moments freighted wilh the intensest terror that wreck, and frost, and storm, and fire can combine to produce, we know not. But we can imagine that whatever the number of moments they were compelled to await in that whirlwind of fire the summons home, they had grace to remember the song of their own they had sung two nights before:

Oh, child, in thy angnieh, despairing or dumb, i

Remember the meBsage, Hold fast till I come 1

And we can know that at whatever point before the completion of that great holocaust, their ransomed spirits left the mangled and charred bodies behind, they started singing:

Where He may lead I’ll follow,

My tmst in Him repose,
And all the time in perfect peace,

V sing,” He knows, He knowt.^

Had we the power to follow and witness the effect of the announcement of the tragical earthly end of these two writers of sweet siewred song, as it traveled and is traveling over the round world, what vliried scenes of sorrow and regret would we witness I Here we see the brethren who have been his esi)ecial CO -laborers, hasten to the scene of disaster as quickly as possible, in a vain anxiety to secure at least the bruised and mangled bodies of their dead friends for Christian burial. There we see the great tabernacle, with its vast assembly of eight thousand inside, and as many waiting outside in the cold in the vain hope of gaining entrance, filled and surrounded with mourners. Yonder we look upon the multitudes gathered at the home funeral service, where their last earthly ministrations were rendered. And on the Atlantic, and on the Pacific coast of America, and between, and over the waters to the east, and to the west, and the south, in Europe and Asia and Africa, the sad tidings bring regret and eulogy and grief to assembled thousands, and to solitary readers and hearers. The Christian songs that have belted the world with their melodies, have caused and will cause their writers to be mourned the world over. “Their works do follow them.”

And words of sorrow for the dead, and of gratitude to God for what His servant and handmaiden have done in the realm of song, have been spoken in multitudes of places by the great and the obscure.

Mr. Williamson here continued as follows:

My personal acquaintance with Professor and Mrs. Bliss began in 1865, one year after he came to Chicago. His musical convention work here was done, I have been informed, in 1869. He began his purely evangelistic work with Major Whittle at the beginning of 1874, and had grown greatly in spirituality and force of character, as well as in breadth and power of influence. It was our earnest endeavor to secure his services, with those of Brother Whittle, for the series of union meetings just closed, but God so ordered affairs that the closing labors of his life were employed elsewhere, and we were saved the severity of the shock, which otherwise would have fallen on us.

Still God has come so near to us in this solemn providence, that it becomes every man, woman, and child who has heard the songs of this man and woman, to ask himself and herself. What good ought I to get, what good can I get from it to my immortal soul? If there should be one here who has not sung or heard the Bliss hymns and music before to-night, it will well become even such an one to ask, What good use can I make of those I have just heard? How much more should we do it, who have become so familiar with some of this music and have sung these Gospel Hymns so often?

A service in memory of Mr. Bliss was held at the House of Hope Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. There had been put upon the blackboard the words,” In memory of our brother Philip P. Bliss,’’ and, the board being wreathed in evergreens and the evergreens

Bprinkled with white lilies, the whole formed a beautiful tablet It was placed upon the wall behind the platform, and under it was a cushion of flowers and vines upon which it seemed to be resting.

In commencing the sermon, the Superintendent, Mr. Cochran, read the hymn, both the words and the music of which Mr, Bliss wrote, When Jesus Comes,” saying that in no better way could his memory be honored than by singing heartily the hymns which he wrote to the praise of God. The congregation, composed of the regular attendants upon the Sabbath School and those who had come in to participate in the services, then read alternately with the Superintendent the first eleven verses of 1 Thessalonians v., after which Mr. Charles H. Bigelow led in prayer* Then was sung the hymn, the words of which Mr. Bliss wrote to music furnished by another, “I know not the Hour when my Lord shall Come,” after which Rev. Mn Breed, the pastor of the church, dressed a few words “to the grown people present.” He said he thought it was generally the case that the manner and circumstances of our death would generally be found in some measure to have been anticipated by the thoughts and works of our lives. He called attention to the fact that a member of this very church and Sabbath School, whom no one would have thought to be anticipating sudden death, but to whom death had come almost unannounced, by terrible accident, had marked in his Bible two of the verses which had Just been read. “But of the times and the seasons, my brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.” “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.^’ Those who had watched beside the death-bed of that young man have testified that he met his death, suddenly as it came, calmly and with full faith in his Savior.

So, in tMnking of this sad death which came to our brother BIIbb, and reading the hymns, could anj one fail to be struck with their foreshadowing of the suddenness of his end. Those that have already been sung were examples of it, but perhaps the most striking, not only in its spiritual but physical aptness, was —

Through the yaHey of the Bhadow I mnBt go
Where the cold waves of Jordan roll,
Bat the presence of my Sayior will, I know.
Be the staff and support to my sooL

Literally, Mr. Bliss was called at death, to pass through a valley of the fldifldow. and literally the cold waves overwhelmed him upon that awful night

354 H£MOIBS OV p. p. BLISS.

And jet why should he or any of us be astonished at the suddenness of death; for do we not “know perfectly,” as the Apostle saith, that the day of the Lord so Cometh as a thief in the night V* One remaining thought: the lesson to us of Mr. Bliss’ life was to consecrate whatever talent God had given to us to His service. It was in his case a musical gift; he had fully consecrated it, and perhaps more than any other writer of sacred music of the century, his name and memory would live and his music be the means of converting souls to Christ for years and years to come.

After Mr. Breed had ceased speaking, Mr. Cochran said that what he had to say was to be addressed to the children present. He then reminded them how Major Whittle and Mr. Bliss when holding services in St. Paul had devoted part of their vacation day, Saturday, to holding a children’s service; how the last one had been held in this very church the last Saturday of their stay in St. Paul. He then described how two children, 5 and 7 years old, had remembered the text from which Mr. Bliss had spoken that morning, making the five words which composed it answer to the five fingers of his left hand while he pointed to them with his right, and thus fixing them in the minds of the children. The text was,” Daniel purposed in his heart f and after he had spoken from it he made a request of the children, and these same little children here in St. Paul had remembered this request, though it was made more than a year ago. It was that the children present should remember when they said their prayers at night to pray for Major Whittle and his (Mr. Bliss’) little children, from whom they were so often and so long separated. The speaker felt sure that though Mr. Bliss’ voice was forever silent in this world, yet if he could to-day speak from Heaven he would make exactly the same request, that the children of St. Paul and everywhere should pray for his little boys, who never again on earth would know a father’s or mother’s love, and the message he would deliver fiom heaven would be the same message he gave on that Saturday morning in this church, that all would imitate Daniel and accept Daniel’s God in Jesus Christ.

Another memorial service was held in St. Paul, of which the following letter gives an account:

Bt. Paul, Minn., Jan. 81, 1877.
Maj. D. W. Whittle:

My Dbab Brotheb — We had a memorial service in our little churoli (Dayton Avenue Presbyterian) which was to us very intei’esting. Mr. Bliss had endeared himself to as not only by his sweet songs, but our children had been to his children’s meetings here in Saint Paul, and so nearly all of them knew him personally. During our memorial service a boy 13 years old (son of Senator M.) arose and said he wanted to bear testimony to Mr. Bliss’ influence upon him. He stated, between sobs, that the singing of “I’ve Found the Pearl of Greatest Price” had been the means of leading him to the Savior. Other incidents were given showing how warmly our people felt toward him. We do not forget your labors here, and it may cheer you to know that none of the boys and girls belonging to our Sunday School who were converted at that time have gone back again to the world. A boys’ prayer meeting was started soon after you went away, and has been maintained ever since. May God prosper you in all your labors. Very truly yours, L. A. Gilbert,

Superintendent Dayton Avenue Sunday School.

At Louisville, Kentucky, the death of Mr. Bliss caused the most profound sorrow. His evangelical labors there created for him a general regard, while among those with whom he came in personal contact, he was held in affectionate esteem. As one of the local papers expresses it, the great success achieved in that city” was, as far as a religious awakening is concerned, something that surpassed all precedent. The singing of Mr. Bliss tended strongly to popularize the meetings, and his gospel songs are still used in many of our churches and Sunday Schools.^’

A memorial service was held at the Chestnut Street Presbyterian Church. The attendance, notwithstanding the rain and snow that checkered the weather’s general inclemency, was so large that the seating capacity of the church was wholly inadequate to accommodate the congregation. The aisles and every vacant space were filled with stools and chairs, and many remained standing until the close.

After reading the parable of the fig tree (Luke xiii), the pastor, Bev. Mr. Simpson, proceeded to say that the words were peculiarly appropriate to the occasion for two reasons. In the first place, this was the fourth New Year’s Sabbath he had spent among them as their pastor, an& the words seemed to come with peculiar solemnity to all who had rejected his message: “These three years I come seeking fruit, and find none; cut it down;” while the interceding Savior pleaded once more, perhaps only once, “Let it alone this year also.”

The parable finally presented the touching picture of the great Intercessor standing between the sinner and his doom, and pleading one more year’s delay. How solemn to reflect that He only asked one year, and even that was not assured; and after that even Jesus promised to cease to plead for the hardened and impenitent. Having at some length expounded these thoughts, he proceeded to the second and principal part of his discourse — in reference to the occasion as a memorial service. In the second place, he said, the parable had reference to two very sudden calamities that had occurred — the slaughter of certain Jewish worshipers by Pilate, and the destruction of eighteen by the falling of a tower in Siloam.

How suitably its lessons connected themselves with the many appalling disasters which had lately shocked the public mind; and how tenderly these lessons were impressed by the sad memories of the terrible death they had met to-night to improve. If any might have claimed exemption from such a fate it was one whose usefulness seemed scarcely in its prime, and if he were not spared how could the careless and indifferent risk delay?

Mr. Simpson then referred to Mr. Bliss’ connection with the work in Louisville two years previously, and the loving recollections he had left behind him in hundreds of hearts. “The evangelists had always regarded it as the most cheering work of their lives, and hopes had been cherished of their return this winter. Their plans, however, had been made to spend the winter in Chicago, continuing the work Mr. Moody had begun, and then visit Europe in the summer, and begin the work in Great Britain.”

The speaker closed by an earnest appeal to all who hesitated to accept the Gospel, to begin at once to seek the Savior, whose greater love and more terrible sacrifice for them had been feebly shadowed forth in this sad calamity. Mr. Bliss had died to save a dear wife, and failed; Christ had died to save His enemies, and, as a living, loving, pleading Friend, stood now at every heart, crying, “Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and sup with him, and he with me.” The noblest tribute they could lay upon the grave of their dear friend was to know that even his death and its lessons had led a great multitude of the unsaved to the Master he loved so well.

In response to this appeal, many persons rose in acknowledgment of their purpose to begin that night to seek the Savior, and after a solemn prayer for them, the service closed.

The First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in Nashville, Tenn., was crowded on the occasion of the Bliss memorial services, even the space in the rear of the seats being completely filled. The exercises opened by a portion of the choir singing ‘Almost Persuaded.’*

Dr. Baird said that only a few years ago there was a new era in secular songs. People discovered that little children could sing, and from this sprang songs full of simplicity and truth, that were caught up and set the world on fire. He paid a touching tribute to Mr. Bliss, dwelling briefly on the striking simplicity of his character, his Christian earnestness and devotedness to the cause of Christ. The songs th(y would sing to-night were compositions of Mr. Bliss, in some cases both the words and music. The next song they would sing was probably at this very moment ringing along the streets of London and Edinburgh, and throughout America.

“I am so glad Jesus Loves Me” was then sung, and followed by a prayer from Rev. M. B. DeWitt, in which he alluded to the consecration on the altar of Christ, and the removal of the “Sweet Singer’* and evangelist from his work in this world to take up his songs in Heaven. The song” Watching and Waiting ‘’ then followed.

Mr. DeWitt made a few remarks, and was followed by Dr. Baird, who offered a series of resolutions, which were adopted by a rising vote.

Kev. A. J. Baird, pastor of the First Cumberland Church, sends us the following letter respecting the above meeting:

Nashyillb, TENN.f Jonh, 8, 1877.
My Deab Bro. WinTTLB:

Last night waer a memorable evening with ns. We held a service of song in my church in memory of our dear Brother Bliss. Our service consisted of prayer, a few remarks by different persons, but chiefly singing. The choir, orchestra and congregation joining. Oh, it was so sweet to recall the holy memories of the meetings held by yourself and our lamented brother. Many were there who were brought to the Savior during those meetings. Our songs were: “Almost Persuaded,” “Waiting and Watching,” “Jesus Loves even Me,” “Hallelujah, ’tis Done,” “Free from the Law,” “When Jesus Comes,” ‘’That will be Heaven for Me,” “Hold the Fort.”

It is a joy to join with the friends in Chicago and elsewhere in cherishing the precious memory of our dear departed brother and sister.

A. J. Baird,
Pastor First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

A commemorative service in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Bliss was held in the Presbyterian Church at Kalamazoo, Michigan, under the auspices of the Young Mens Christian Association. The arrangements for the meeting were in the hands of a committee of one from each of the co-operating churches. Abundant material for draping the church was loaned by several of the merohant& Mrs. Jas. Allen supplied the artificial flowers used, made the beautiful cross, crown and shield used in the decorations, and gave her aid, with Mrs. Frank Kussell, Mrs. J. C. Burrows and Miss Smith, to the work of preparation. The skill and taste exhibit,ed by these ladies betokened how much they had the subject at heart. The drapery of black and white extended fully around the church on the galleries, and was beautifully arranged in folds. The platform was an-anged in nearly the same manner as when it was occupied by the evangelists, during their revival work in that city. An organ was placed upon it, with the motto Mr. Bliss had on his: ‘^ God so loved the world that he gave his Only begotten Son, that whosoever belie veth in him should not Perish, but have Everlasting Life,’’ forming an acrostic of the word *•’ Gospel.” The singer’s chair was in the position as when used by him, and appropriately draped. The chair Mrs. Bliss used was elevated so as to indicate to the audience the place occupied in the choir by her. It was also fitly draped. The drapery was centred over the pulpit, and drooped to the doors on either side; and at the point of the draping over the center was a cross on a shield; underneath it, in large capitals, the title of the last song Mr. Bliss sang while in Kalamazoo — “Waiting at the Beautiful Gate.” Over one door leading into the chapel was a superb cross; on the other, a crown. Everything betokened taste and intense interest for the work. The choir held the same position as before, with the change of the organ to the center. The organ representing Mr. Bliss’ was silent. Prof. C. J. Toof presided at the other, and Mr. W. F. Leavitt, who rendered Mr. Bliss eflfective aid during his peiiod of service there, took direction of the choir. The ministers present, the members of the choir and the ushers wore suitable badges of mourning.

Long before the hour of beginning the house began to fill rapidly. At the second ringing of the bell, it was tolled with thirty-eight measured strokes, that being the number of years of Prof. Bliss’ life. By this time the church was filled to overflowing, and many were standing about the doors. The exercises were opened by the singing of the hymn, “I know not the hour when my Lord shall Come.” Kev. Mr. Sherwood pronounced a brief and feeling invocation. The Home over There “was sung, and the fifth chapter of Revelation was read (containing the words, “And they sung a

MEMOEIAL SERVICES IK KAIiAMAZOO. 359

new song,** etc.) by the Moderator of the meeting, Rev. Jos. H. France. A prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Hodge. Mr. Leavitt sang as a solo, with great tenderness and clear expression, one of the favorite songs of Mr. BHss,” Oh, to be Nothing.’’ The presiding officer then introduced the chief exercises of the evening with a short and earnest address, delivered with very earnest and effective feeling.

Capt Ford, from the Committee on Resolutions, prefixed the report with an explanation that the Scripture used in the first sentence was the text of Rev. xiv, 3, taken in part as the basis of Hymn 44, in the Gospel Hynms, music by Prof. Bliss; that the reference to South Africa was called out by the reported singing of his hymns in the wilds of the Zulu country; the first quotation of poetry was from the 86th of the Gospel Songs, the older book of Mr. Bliss, both words and music by him; the text cited in the first resolution was the theme of Hymn 24, Gospel Hymns, words by Mrs. Bliss, music by her husband, from which the extract was made in the second resolution; the extract in the fourth resolution was from the 41st of the Gospel Hymns, words and music by Bliss; and that in the fifth was from the 79th hymn, music also by Mr. Bliss. He then read the resolutions, as follows:

Philip Paul Bliss and Lucy Bliss, his wife, have gone to sing, as it were, a new song before the throne — that song which no man can learn but they which are ledeemed from the earth. Their tragic death overshadows the whole Christian world. From the north of Scotland to the Zulu huts of South Africa, from the Far East to the Far West — wherever their songs are sung, the poets and singers will be mourned. He, cut oflf in the prime of his splendid manhood, with all his great powers at their best; she, worthy companion of his joys and toils — have left time for eternity in the black gorge of death that opened at Ashtabula. At one diead plunge they went to make real the truth of his own sweet son:

Through the valley of the ehadow I must go,

Where the cold waves of Jordan roll;
But the promise of my Shepherd will, I know,

Be the rod and the staff to my soul
Even now down the valley as I glide

I can hear my Savior say, “Follow Me,”
And with Him Fm not afraid to cross the tide.

There’s a light in the valley for me.

like the singers of Nehemlah, Brother and Sister Blisfr “kept the ward of their God.” By the talents and abilities they consecrated to the Redeemer; by their pure, strong?, unselfish Christian character; by the priceless service they have done and through the works they leave shall yet do in His cause among men, they have earned a memory which the world shall not willingly let die. Therefore, resolved:

1. That the citizens of Kalamazoo and vicinity, so lately blessed by these sweet singers, do deeply mourn the bereavement of their fSamilies and friends, and the loss of their living presence from the fields of Christian usefulness; doubting not, however, that they were “willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

2. That our deepest sympathies, in this hour of trial, go out to the widowed mother and sisters of the brother gone, to the parents of Mrs. Bliss, to the little ones thus orphaned, to all other relatives of the sainted dead, and to the great throng of friends who are bereft May all remember that,

For those who Bleep

And thoBe who weep,
Above the portals narrow,

The mansions rise
Beyond the skies, —

We’re going home to-morrow.

3. That the special and fraternal sympathies of this people be extended to the friend and Christian brother, the companion and co-laborer of the dear departed. Major D. W. Whittle, who loved them with a love like that of David for Jonathan, “passing the love of women;’* and we hope and pray that he may be upstayed by the Everlasting Arms, that the blow may be mercifully softened to him by the Divine Hand, and blessed to the strengthening of his heart and tongue for the great work that remains to him.

4. That, while this visitation of Providence seems mysterious and dark, we humbly recognize that “He doeth all things well.”

No darkness have we who in Jesus abide,

The Light of the World is Jesas;
We walk in the light when we follow our God,

The Light of the World is Jesos.

5. That the life and labors of the lamented dead shall be perpetual incentives to the best work we can do for the Master.

Sowing the seed with an aching heart,
Sowing the seed while the tear-drops start,
SowiDg in hope till the reapers come,
Gladly to gather the harvest home.
Oh, what shall the harvest be?

6. That the contributions of this community be respectfully solicited in aid of the Bliss Memorial Funds, now being raised.

At the commemoration services at Peoriap Illinois, Centennial Hall was crowded and many failed to find seats. Kev. J. D. Wilson,, of Christ Reformed Episcopal Church, opened the service by asking the choir to sing the hymn,” In the Christian’s Home in Glory,’* after which Rev. W. B. Mcllvaine led in prayer.

Rev. W. C. Mappin then read, as the scripture lesson, selections from the 6th and 7th chapters of Revelation, and the choir sung, softly and beautifully, the song, “Go, Bury thy Sorrow,^’ and “When the Comforter Came,” followed by a hymn that will always be dear I to Peoria Christians, as it was written by Mr. Bliss in that city, yiz.: “When Jesus Comes,” beginning,

Down life’s dark vale we wander.

Till Jesus comes;
We watch and wait and wonder.

Till Jesus comes.

Rev. John Weston, of Calvary Mission, was the first speaker. He said:

We can almost see our departed brother as he sat and sang before us, but a few days ago, his whole heart in his song. He has gone home; he was waiting and ready. What a gloom fell upon us last Sabbath, as the sad word came to us. So like the old prophet of old, he went home to heaven, not a vestige left of him on earth. Let a double portion of his spirit rest on us who are left. We ask why did God take His servant away so? It is not ours to tell, “God moves in a mysterious way.” The time will come when we shall see the wisdom of God’s dealings with us. His glory shall be seen after all. It says to us, “Be ye also ready.” Out of the dark valley comes the voice to us, be faithful and devoted to His service. Also a lesson to those who are not God’s children. We would not bring our friends back. They sing the New Song ’ to-night; but to you who have no such hope the warning comes, “Prepare to meet thy God.” You have heard him sing; let his sweet voice invite you to follow him to his home in heaven.

Rev. Mr. Thompson, of the First Baptist Church, then spoke.

Mr. Bliss was a man of tender sympathy. Knowing sorrow himself, he felt for others; feeling tenderly himself the love of Christ, he desired all others to know the same. A man of eminent abilities, he was humble and trustful, and gave all glory to his God. How his face would glow as he sang “Hallelujah, what a Savior.” How my own soul felt as he sang his thrilling songs. I am told wherever he went in domestic life he left the savor of his Savior behind a consecrated life.

He is gone. We feel as if he was still needed with us. God can make his death more effective than his life. “He being dead, still speaketh.” He speaks in song round the world to-night. It was said of Sampson “he slew more in his death than while living.” How many may be brought to Jesus by what we call his untimely death. “He walked with God,” and “he is not, for God took him.” The Master haa said, “Come up higher.” One of his songs says, “We’ll soon be at home over there;” now he is there. Another, “I know not the hour,” etc. He did not know the hour, but Jesus called and took him away in His own time. He knows “the song the angels sing” now. The last song oar brother sang with as was the 22d, “We’re Going Home To-morrow.” Shall we meet them there when God calls as to meet all of those who have gone before?

The 22d hymn was then sung with deep feeling by the entire audience.

Rev. A. A. SteyenSy of the First Congregational Church, next came forward and spoke tenderly and kindly of the dead singen He spoke of the effect of his songs upon himself. “It seems as if we were just waiting for him to come in.” He spoke specially of the songs, “Are your windows open toward Jerusalem?” and “The half was Never Told.” Now he knows the whole of the glories of heaven. It is a blessed thought that our brother loves us still as he did when here. How bright the prospect of our meeting dear friends again in the better world. How it strengthens us for our work. If any shall linger now to accept Christ, how can they when they remember his love and prayers so recently for them? We cannot see all the plan, but we “know all things work together for good to those that love God.”

Mr. Stevens spoke of the cheerfulness of Mr. Bliss — always cheerful. “We don’t sing enough,” said he. Let us cherish him because he was so much like his Master.

Rev. Mr. Wilson at this point led in an earnest prayer asking for all submission to the will of God.

Hymn No. 13 was then sung —

I know not the hoar when my Lord will come.

Rev. Ira J. Chase, of the Christian Church, followed in some very appropriate remarks. He wondered what Mr. Bliss was doing when death came. He quoted Mr. Bliss motto for 1876, ‘^ Be ye therefore steadfast,” etc. It was his habit to select a text to be his motto for the year. Perhaps he was selecting his verse. Perhaps he was singing. At all events he was ready. I am glad those who have spoken have made it a practical matter with us all. What testimony will we leave behind us? Why don’t you all prepare for the future? God calls to us. It is for each one to say, “Oh! to be waiting and watching ’ up there I”

Mr. Chase then read a tribute to the memory of the dead singer, written by some friend and given to him.

Bev. Mr. Wilson spoke, and asked to hare ‘* Watching and Waiting *’ sung, but those aecustomed to sing would not venture to sing it. They could not, and No. 50 was taken in its place: “I will Guide Thee with Mme Eye.”

Eey. H. S. Beavis, of Grace Church, was then called upon, and said: “Silence might now be golden.” He could notoon forget the pleadings of this departed brother as he plead with the youth of our city. His is one of the lives that speak to us and bid us make our lives sublime. It tells us of the record we are to make. It seems as if it were cut short in the very midst of fire and storm. Bliss met trials and storms and overcame them, and speaks to us to go forward. He added enthusiasm and untiring industry to his energy, and added to all consecration to the Master’s work. He breathed it in his prayer; he carried it in his life; he sung it in his songs. Let us imitate him and make our lives beautiful, and leave behind us the fragrance of a consecrated life.

Rev. Mr. Wilson followed in an earnest and tender reference to the dead. We would not bring them back — he is happy now. There are some who might have come to Jesus if they could have heard another song. There is one hymn that has not been referred to to-night, “Hold the Fort.” What joy the words “I am coming” brought to the beleaguered garrison at Allatoona!

“Hold the Fort” was then sung with feeling by the choir and entire congi’egation. After singing this hymn. Rev. Mr. Wilson asked Wm. Reynolds, Esq., to take charge of the meeting.

A. request was made for all who had found Christ during the meetings held here recently to rise. A large number arose. ^’ Now,” said the speaker, “who will join these and decide now? While they sing a verse of Hymn 59, let them rise.” Some arose, and Rev. Mr. Thompson led in prayer, asking that the death of those beloved ones might be the means of leading many to think of the awful future. After prayer, No. 15, “There is a Gate that Stands Ajar,” was sung, and one of the saddest and most impressive meetings ever held in Peoria was closed.

The following extract from a private letter from Peoria, written previous to the holding of the above meeting, and soon after the reception of the news of the Ashtabula disaster, will be read with interest:

In eveiy cbnrch in the city, yesterday, the sad tidings were told, and heart* felt, loving, stirring words were spoken, while we all wept together. Mr. Reynolds made most touching and thrilling mention in Sabbath School, asking those young people who had been brought to Christ through Mr. Bliss’ meetings to rise. Over thirty arose to testify of what he had done for them. Oh! how many precious souls will sparkle as gems in his crown I

We conclude this chapter and the volume with a few letters from Christian friends and co-workers. The first is from Eey. Dr. J. H. Brookes, of St Louis:

St. Loxtib, Jan. 1, 18T7.
Mt Beloved Bbother:

Since yesterday morning there haa seemed to be a pall upon earth and sky. One of the Elders came to the study, just before the hour of preaching, and asked me if I had heard the sad news, and then told me with sobs that Bliss had been killed. The tidings stunned me, it was so unexpected, so impossible, my poor heart said.

Mention was made of the heavy loss the church had sustained when we met for public worship, and the tears of many attested the strength of the hold our dear brother had taken upon the affections of the saints here. Again we met in the evening, and remained in prayer and meditation upon the word, and singing many of the sweet songs Mr. Bliss had composed, until the old year had gone away and the midnight hour announced that we were entering upon a new year. Many were the allusions to Bliss and his family, and to you also, stricken to the ground by this sudden and appalling blow.

Oh, how my heart bled for you, as the thought of your loneliness and desolation of spirit and bitter disappointment occurred to me; but it only led some at least — no doubt many — to bear you before the Lord in fervent supplication. Surely He is saying to you now, as never before, Be still, and know that I am God,” and “What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.” Yes, He will make this strange providence perfectly plain very soon, for, “Yet a little while and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” It is the time, dear brother, for your faith to meet the deep darkness rolling over you with the cry, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”

A young man in his prayer, last night, referred to Bliss as having taught many of us to sing “Waiting and Watching,” and now he is waiting and watching for the saints he had cheered on earth. Even so; he is just on the other side of the river, waiting and watching for his companion in testimony and service. Let us more and more be waiting and watching for that blessed hope, when at our gathering together unto Jesus, we shall meet our beloved ones who sleep in Him. Oh, in the presence of such a sore affliction, how our hearts cry out, “Even so, come. Lord Jesus!” How pitifully little the world seems! How contemptible, self 1 How near, eternity 1 How bright and glorious the home toward which we are traveling!

These hurried words have been written as fast as my pen can move, just to let you know that some of Gtod’s dear children in St. Louis have fellowship in your sorrow, and are bearing you up in their hearts in prayer. The Lord will bless this terrible trial in drawing you nearer to Himself, and giving you more singleness of heart.

In a common grief, but a common hope, too.

Yours in Him, J. H BBOOKEa
HtLWAUKEE, Jim, 18, 1877.
My Dear Brothsb Whittlb:

I have thought much about you of late and espedally since the death of our dear Mends, Mr. and Mrs. Bliss. We had had several very sad afflictions in our church, and this one of their so sudden departure, coming at the close of the year, made the year go out in gloom. I shall always remember the last months of 1876 as a time of abundant and almost overwhelming sorrow. How happily the year began — for me, at least — when we were working to^ether in this hard field of Milwaukee. The work was a joy and it was a joy to see its results, though they were not such nor so large, seemingly, as we had wished. Li God’s sight they may have been far greater than the ones we had expected. Li the first terror of the calamity of December 29, it was difficult to get near to the divine point of view. But we are doubtless now both calm in the view that the acts and the kingdom of our dear Father have all space and all eternity to interpret them. They are not to be judged by a single fearful night and a single dreadful ravine. The flesh shrinks from the thought of the bruised and mangled frames of those BO loved, but the spirit of faith remembers One who was more bruised for our iniquities. And that God can use, in some mysterious way, the bruising of the body for the healing of souls, the great example of the wounded Saviour teaches us. It seems terrible to the shrinking flesh to think of dying by flre, but God has brought some of the richest blessings to His church through flre. God’s beloved Zion owes much discipline of purifying and exaltation to this element of fire. It is the great law of the Lord, expressed most astonishingly upon Calvary, that the world shall be saved with suffering.

Thus the crushed and broken fhtme

Oft doth sweetest graces yield,
And this suffering, toil and shame,

From the martyrs keenest flame,
Heavenly incense is distilled.

The converts of last winter stand well; we are having some more continually, and I am hopeful of good results in the Sunday Schools. I wish I might have an afternoon’s quiet talk with you. Do you never long for some quiet? I do, and think it necessary to the highest life of the soul.

With love,

Geo. T Ladd.

He Znows.

p. p. B.

:*cts:

1. I know not what awaits me,

2. One step I see before me,

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God kind - ly veils mine eyes,
Tis all I need to see,

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And o’er each step of my onward way He makes new scenes to rise; The light of heav ‘n more brightl v shines, When earth’s illusions flee;

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m luu j=»jj=j:y And ev - ‘ry joy He sends me comes A sweet and glad sur-priae. And sweet-ly thro’ the si-lence comes His lov - ing “Fol - low Me.”

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Where Ho may lead 111 fol - low,

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Copynghted, 1877, by J. Church & Co.

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8. blissful lack of wisdom,

‘Tis blessed not to know;
He holds me with His own right hand,

And will not let me go,
And lulls my troubled soul to rest

In Him who loves me so

4. So on I go, not knowing,
I would not if I might;
I*d rather walk in the dark with Qod

Than go alone in the light;
I*d rather walk by faith with Him
Than go alone by sight.