Transcriber's Note:
On page 15, the word cotemporary, meaning "One who livesat the same time with another; a contemporary", is correct.
The last sentence of the first paragraph on page 9 islikely missing text, a consultation of another source hasthe same content.
"He made him to teach his senators wisdom."—Psalms cv, 21, 22.
The common theory of the pulpit is of a place devoted to expound someold situation, abstract scheme of salvation, or article in a creed. Ithas a higher end,—to give the meaning of the scenes of real life, inwhich we observe the actors and play ourselves a part. If history bephilosophy teaching by example, and of all history biography be thesoul, then human character, when rare and conspicuous in its traits orachievements, gives as pattern or warning the chief lesson. Christianedification comes less signally from hair-splitting, dogmaticdistinction than from contemplating for imitation or admonition thelives of Enoch and Solomon, Paul and Peter, Jesus and John. So I taketo-day the death of the most eminent civilian of Massachusetts for mytheme.
As the King in Egypt chose Joseph to teach his senators wisdom, no manof late years has equalled Charles Sumner as an instructor orinfluence in the Senate of the United States.
An instinct of nature prompts us to make some account and sum up thesignificance of any one's career, [4]privately, on the domestic stage,or before the people, if he has challenged attention in a largersphere.
It may be useful to make some discriminating estimate of Mr. Sumner'scontributions to the public good, the legislature of a free State in agreat Union being the monarch that for so long a period continued toelect him to his high office.
However opinions may differ of his prudence or ability, the weight ofhis word or importance of his position none will doubt.
Our messenger of the lightning had no greater task this last week inthe world than to wait at his threshold and run with news every hourover the wires of his estate.
His principal peers at his bedside and his colored clients flockingfor inquiry at his door showed a feeling of love and sympathy reachingfrom the highest to the lowest class.
In culture he was a match for nobles, in temper he was a champion ofthe oppressed and friend to the poor.
I suppose no American name is more widely known and celebrated in allcivilized lands.
Great Britain and France will feel the shock of his decease.
That one of our political pillars has fallen will be [5]known at theCourt of St. Petersburg and among the counsellors of Berlin.
Italy and Spain, with their Republican struggles and aims, will missan advocate on this side the sea.
Castelar will mourn the departure of a companion in arms in thepeaceful battles of reform, as Cavour might have felt through thecable from him for eman