The Union And Eastern Journal

The Popular Heart and Moral Heroism.

The Philadelphia papers say that, with the exception of Dr. Kane's, there has been no such funeral in their city, either in respect to the concourse drawn together or the feeling manifested, as that in which the last honors were paid to the Rev. Dudley A. Tyng. It is a fact not without moral significance. What was it that gave that young man such a hold upon the popular respect? He had talent, but not above that of hundreds of others who die comparatively unnoticed. He had, too, amiableness of disposition and fine social traits; but these qualities are found at every third door in the city. Nor was it his sacred profession that made him so marked an object of general regard. Ministers of the Gospel are cut down even in the very flower of their days, and yet, outside of their own churches, there is no such special sorrow. We must look elsewhere than either to the intellectual or the social elements of the man, or the mere nature of his calling, for an explanation of the peculiar breadth and depth of feeling which his death has excited in the great community where he lived. Now, what was it? Clearly the heroic spirit of the man. He had given proof, in a most signal way, of the very highest order of courage and self-devotion in the performance of what he solemnly believed to be duty. The circumstances under which he gave up one of the first pulpits in the land, and sacrificed, as it appeared, every bright earthly prospect rather than speak with bated breath of the spiritual wickedness in high places, have not yet faded from the public memory. Few of our young men have undergone such an ordeal, and none ever showed more sterling stuff. His fidelity to what he believed to be his duty could not but extort the admiration of every generous soul, whether agreeing with him in opinion or not. Say what you may, there is no quality that so takes hold of the hearts of men as conscientious Courage. It may for the moment irritate and perhaps incense, but its high quality never fails to be soon appreciated. It is not the understanding, but the spirit that makes the man; and the spirit that is noble-and faithful and divine, that is the slave of no earthly ambition, and the tool of no earthly interest, and is fearless in the sense of right, challenges, nay compels men's reverence.-N.Y. Courier.