Rev. Dr. Moses D. Hoge, who has been for forty years pastor in
Richmond, who rendered invaluable service in Confederate times, and who was the intimate personal friend of
General R. E. Lee, had been most appropriately selected to make the prayer.
In clear voice and distinct enunciation he led the devotions of the vast crowd in the following fervent prayer:
Almighty God, Fountain of Life and Father of Mercies, there is no offering of gratitude, no tribute of thanksgiving which is not Thy due—none which we would not bring Thee at this very hour, as we bow before Thy footstool.
With humble reverence we invoke Thy blessing upon this great multitude gathered to unite in these impressive ceremonies.
Let Thy benediction rest upon the strangers within our gates, whom we welcome as friends; let it rest upon these organizations military and municipal; upon these associations representing the industrial pursuits of the people; upon these fraternities philanthropic and charitable; upon these institutions and societies whose aim is the advancement of sound learning and the material and moral welfare of the citizens of this State and of our common country.
We recognize Thy gracious providence over our Commonwealth from its foundation to this auspicious day. Thou hast made it not only the Mother of States, but of the men whose virtue and valor have been illustrated in the halls of legislation and on the fields of conflict—men whose names are the purest in human history—and whose memories are the heritage of all whose hearts beat in sympathy with exalted worth and unselfish devotion to freedom, truth, and
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justice throughout this great Union from North to South and from East to West.
Especially do we bless Thee for the life and example of the patriot soldier, sage, and servant of God, in grateful and loving honor of whose memory we unite in these solemnities.
In words wise and fitly chosen may he whose office it is this day to portray the character and worth of our great commander, so perform his high duty that our souls may be kindled afresh with the love of those virtues that make his life illustrious and his memory immortal.
Great God!
as we stand in the midst of this vast and jubilant throng of the living, we pause in reverential silence to hear the voice of Thy providence reminding us that one who was to have borne his honored part in these services is now numbered with the dead.
The poet dies—the undying song survives.
The hand that tuned the harp is cold and still—the melody it awoke yet sounds to entrance the ear of the living.
O God of pity!
bless and comfort the family of our departed brother, and be Thou their strength, support, and consolation.
O Thou that hearest prayer, we beseech Thee receive and accept these our humble supplications; and help us all so to discharge the duties we owe to Thee and to our fellow-men that we may pass from lives of usefulness and honor into an immortality of rest and peace; and to God, most High,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, we will give the glory evermore.
Amen.
The Grand Lodge of
Virginia, over which Most Worshipful Master
William F. Drinkard presided, then took charge of the cornerstone, and in ‘due and ancient form,’ and with the imposing rites of the order, proceeded to lay it according to the published programme.
The prayer of the venerable Right
Worshipful Chaplain,
Rev. Dr. G. W. Dame, was fervent and appropriate.
