At ten minutes after twelve o'clock Rev. Charles H. Hall, of the
Church of the Epiphany, opened the service by reading from the
Episcopal Burial Service for the Dead. Bishop Matthew Simpson of the
Methodist Church then offered prayer, and the Rev. Dr. Phineas D.
Gurley, pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, at which
Mr. Lincoln and his family attended, delivered a sermon. The Rev. E.
H. Gray, D.D., of the E Street Baptist Church, closed the solemn
service with prayer.
Phineas Densmore Gurley, born at Hamilton, New York, 1816. Educated at
Union College, Schenectady, New York. Taught during vacation,
graduated 1837. Studied theology at the Theological Seminary,
Princeton, New Jersey. Was licensed to preach in 1840. In 1840 he went
to Indianapolis, Indiana, and took charge of a church. In 1849 he
removed to Dayton, Ohio, taking charge of a church, and in 1853 moved
to Washington, D. C., and took charge of a Presbyterian Church on F
Street, afterwards Willard Hall. In 1858 was elected Chaplain of the
United States Senate. In July, 1859, the Second Presbyterian Church
and the F Street Church united, and were known as the New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church, Dr. Gurley becoming its pastor from March, 1861,
until his death. President Lincoln was a pew holder and a regular
attendant, but was not a member. On one occasion the President
remarked, "I like Dr. Gurley, he doesn't preach politics. I get enough
of that during the week, and when I go to church I like to hear
gospel."
When the President was assassinated Dr. Gurley was sent for and
remained with the President until he breathed his last.
As soon as the spirit took its flight, Secretary Stanton turned to Dr.
Gurley and said, "Doctor, will you say something?" After a brief
pause, Dr. Gurley said, "Let us talk with God," and offered a touching
prayer. Dr. Gurley died September 30, 1868.