Should he have been spared to return to our land--

"We had the laurels ready
That patient brow to crown,
But the traitors steel was swift and sharp
To strike our honours down.
God His own victor crowneth,
He counts not gain nor loss,
For the dauntless heart that battles
'Neath the shadow of the Cross.
Rest for the gallant soldier,
Where'er he lieth low,
His rest is still and deep to-day,
'Mid clash of friend and foe.
He stands amid the light he loved,
Whence all the clouds depart,
But there's a gap within our ranks,
And a void within our hearts."

Great men are usually measured by their character, not by their
successes; but measured by either standard Gordon must be considered a
_great_ man. In him were incarnated all the highest characteristics of
the heroes of our land, and other lands, and of the illustrious servants
of God in all ages. His life was swayed by a noble purpose, and by this
he was borne onward and upward in a career of noble doing and daring. He
had courage of the very highest quality, and by this he carved his way
into the very front rank of our heroes, and won remarkable distinctions
in life's fiercest battles. His crowning characteristics were, I think,
his genuineness, and unfailing trust in God. These, especially the
latter, were the inspiration of his life; and these alone offer the
truest explanation of his heroic deeds. Even in Spain his name had a
fragrance that was attractive and beautiful. One of the papers _The El
Dia_, of Madrid, wrote: "Where even the greatest events which occur
abroad hardly attract the attention of the general public, the daring
enterprises of General Gordon had excited the greatest interest. This
was partly because of the immense importance of the drama which was being
played in the Soudan, and because of the extraordinary development of the
drama; but it was chiefly due to the sympathy of the people with the
heroic champion of light and civilization; for his spotless honesty; for
his valour, tried times without number; for his British tenacity; for his
faith in his religion and country; for his keen insight; for his heroic
unselfishness, and for all his other fine qualities. Gordon has become
recognised in Spain as an original character, grand and complete, whom
future generations will idealize, and whom history will call by the name
of genius."

But Gordon, the great soldier and loveable Saint is de