Nearer to Thee
After years of declining health, Franklin Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, of a massive cerebral hemorrhage, tragically ending his unprecedented fourth term of office as president. He was buried with full military honors at his home in Hyde Park, New York, with his long-time pastor, the Reverend George Anthony, officiating. After gun salutes, aircraft flyovers, and the final bugle call, the burial ceremony started promptly at 10:30 a.m. The words came from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” There were no words of eulogy. The Reverend Anthony quoted an old hymn:105
Now the laborer’s task is o’er; now the battle day is past;
Now upon the farther shore lands the voyager at last.
Father, in Thy gracious keeping, leave we now Thy servant sleeping.
Also prominent in the event was another old and familiar hymn, “Nearer My God to Thee,” played at the funeral of President James Garfield and quoted by William McKinley on his deathbed:
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy giv’n;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.
There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,
There in my Savior’s love, perfectly blest;
Age after age to be, nearer my God to Thee.106
And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life.
—John 6:39–40