A STRIKING SERVICE
The most striking feature of the service was its wonderful revelation of the common brotherhood of humanity. In the face of the great calamity which had befallen the Army, men of every religious denomination and every sphere of life were present to bow their heads in humble submission to the will of the Almighty Father. A still stronger and deeper note was struck by two of the survivors of the disaster, who, in simple, eloquent words, brought home to all anew the great truth of the Resurrection. The wonderful sustaining power of Christianity, they said, was shown in the early morning hours when the vessel sank, and when the sudden call came none was afraid to answer the summons. They knew that it was a call to Glory!
Although a pitifully small remnant of the Army dead had been recovered, the service was also an affectionate and reverent memorial for the great majority whose remains still lay engulfed in the St. Lawrence River. Many were the sorrowing tributes paid by the speakers to those missing comrades and friends, and deep regrets were voiced that the waters had not given them up so that they might lie in state beside the silent forms with whom they had in former days toiled together to accomplish God’s work.