ORDER OF SERVICES for the MEETING OF THE PEOPLE OF CONCORD, at the HOUR OF THE FUNERAL of PRESIDENT LINCOLN

1865. [the copy of an attendee] April 19, 1865. [Concord Mass.: no printer shown, no date but April 16-19.] Four-page bifolium. This is the "Order of Services" for the memorial service for Abraham Lincoln, who had died just four days earlier. It was held at the First Parish Church of Concord, with the Revs. Grindall Reynolds and Thomas Rattray presiding. (It is interesting to note that this service was held exactly 90 years -- to the day -- after the Battles of Lexington and Concord.) Item VI (of IX) on the program is "Addresses by R.W. Emerson and Others": Emerson's address is well-documented (see EmersonCentral for the complete text); Emerson began with James Russell Lowell's poem about Lincoln (which JRL would recite three months later, at Harvard Commencement 1865). Quoting from Emerson's address: ... This middle-class country had got a middle-class president, at last. Yes, in manners and sympathies, but not in powers, for his powers were superior. This man grew according to the need. His mind mastered the problem of the day; and as the problem grew, so did his comprehension of it. Rarely was man so fitted to the event. Emerson initially had had mixed feelings about Lincoln: an avowed abolitionist, he was frustrated with Lincoln's concentration on preserving the Union rather than immediately abolishing slavery; however, with the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln had won Emerson's full support. This fragile piece is in close-to-fine condition (several old folds, but little wear). Since Emerson's address is referred to, but not printed within, this Order of Services, the leaflet is not listed in Myerson's bibliography; however, for early texts of Emerson's Lincoln address, see Myerson E167, D56, D57, G51 & G55. This is quite a scarce piece, as presumably copies were printed primarily for the attendees of the Service. That is almost certainly the case with this copy, as there are pencil notations on three of the four pages, notations that imply attendance. For example, the attendee noted which reverend handled the "Selections from Scriptures" and which the "Benediction," noted that the "Hymn" was sung to the tune "Salem," and noted that the "Others" (besides Emerson) to give addresses were Judge Hoar -- Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar, staunch abolitionist and member of the Mass. Supreme Court -- and [the Rev.] Mr. Rattray. A line from Judge Hoar's address is quoted by the attendee, as is a brief account of the assassination.