Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. [1915]

104

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

surely the form which he intended this utterance should be judged is
that in which we should perpetuate the Gettysburg Address."
PROGRAM OF CONSECRATION SERVICES, NOVEMBER 19, 1863.
Music by Borgfield's Band.
Prayer by Reverend T. H. Stockton, D. D.
Music by Marine Band.
Oration by Honorable Edward Everett.
Music-Hymn composed by B. B. French.
Dedicatory Remarks by the President of the United States.
Dirge sung by Choir selected for the occasion.
Benediction by Reverend H. L. Baugher, D. D., President of Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg.
Because of the historic interest which attaches to the Hymn and Dirge
and because they can be used, if desired, as recitations in connection with
exercises both are here published in complete form.
THEI HYMN
"'Tis holy ground,This spot where in their graves
We place our country's braves
Who fell in Freedom's holy cause,
Fighting for liberties and laws:
Let tears abound.
"Here let them rest;
And summer's heat and winter's cold
' Shall glow and freeze above this mould,
A thousand years shall pass awayA nation still shall mourn this clay,
Which now is blest.
"Here, where they fell,
Oft shall the widow's tear be shed,
Oft shall fond parents mourn their dead;
The orphan here shall kneel and weep,
And maidens, where their lovers sleep,
Their woes shall tell.
"Great God in heaven!
Shall all this sacred blood be shed?
Shall we thus mourn our glorious dead?
Oh! shall the end be wrath and woe,
The knell of Freedom's overthrow,
A country riven?
"It will not be!
We trust, 0 God, Thy Gracious power
To aid us in our darkest hour.
This be our prayer,--'Father, save
A people's freedom from its grave.'
All praise to thee!"