Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-10-16

IS no doubt, bat he entered the gloomy ter
ritories of the dead with hope full Of
immortality and that ne passed through
the valley of the shadow of death with a
clear bright prospect of eternal life be-
vond the grave. OF his character, brief
sketch only will he given here. To the
world he was chiefly known as christian
and a minister OF the gospel With re-
gard to the first, it was his happiness, as
ne himself said, on his death bed, to be
called carly in life by the grace of God to
{ he n partaker of the hope of the gospel,
and from That time his views were turned
tn the ministry. As christian he was in
deed 4 man of exalted piety, and inflcxi-
! biy devoted to the service OF his divine
maker. l. was his constant study to pre-
serve the power of religion in his own
heart, and when not ministerng to others,
! he was necessarily employed IN reading,
meditation, and other devotional eXercis-
es. AS a minister OF the gospel, he was q
work nan who needed not to be ashamed.
| rs he was skilfIl rightly to divide the
word, So he was faithful To give to every
/ ono, rs their case might require, = por-
tion in due season As preacher, his
manner in the pnpit was solemn, impress
sive, and often highly eloquent. There
are many now living who have witnessed
with what awful pathos, he displayed the
t-rrorS ut the law, to awaken and alarni
the careless and secure sinner and with
| what tender compassion rs a minister OF
consolation, he addressed himself 70 those
who were of broken and contrite spirit,
and trembed at the word OF God and in
ldecd as Il minister, there arc few to whom
the following lines Of m eminent christian
post, could ihave been applied with more
tpropricty.
HIS hap1s 7vrre fiure, his doctrine and
his life
Coincidenf, gavs MciG hroof
That he zv0s honest in his sacred makers
cause.
To those who knew him, the following
striking view nf that momentous scene,
thre' which he has SO lately passed, 'exPres-
cd in paDer IN his own hand. writing found
on his writing desk, short time after his
death, NAV De- Interesting, AM to others it
may be useful. II exhibits his own delib-
crate views Of that great change, which
awaits all the living, and may be consider
ed as containing his dvin5. thoughts in the
near prosHect IS his own rem oval from this
world. Writing on the subject Of dcath,
he observes, Death and 81 the awful
cii Cumstances that often attend it arc cal
cuia;ed, it must be acknowledged, 70 d:s-
compose the miad Death is the king Of
terrors---the charge is awfu'---the con-
se9uericc li;!spcakablv important ii IS no
wonder if, in a mater Of such trcuendows
Consequences, tive soul, even of the upright,
should nisg;vc. We are 50 formed that
mature drea is its dissolution----the soul is
Pant 10 shrirl: upon itself. and TO recoiI with
fear, when upon she brink Of making the
. 10,
o5jcct we love or nave heonbeIovcd bv-
70 part with the dearest connexions, 70
sec on end Of all orr eriovmerts, and to
leave nothing before us but the prospect,
; o? nm untCied, endless, Interchangeable here
after: all these things, rushing in upon it,
IS enough TO discompose the mind. But
the believer, the real Christian, has a sup
port equal 20 all this. What is So tremen-
dous and terrific 70 the cpe of flesh and
sense, has TO him n very different asnect-
He is often privileged to behold death, the
king of tevrors, as the officer commissions
. cd by him III whom ne has believed, to un-
i lock his prison, and set his longing souls
at large : he believes the word, that Us.
sures him Of his gracious presence and
7 omniputent aid. and that through him he
, sha BIC mere than conGueror. And while
-, poor sinners are overwhelmed with an.
Suish, distress, and often despair, hlppv
/ believers hnd the promise verified, Isaiah
. XVI. s, " Thou wilt keep him in perfect
, peace whose Inind is stud ON thee. be-
cause he trusteth in thee. They know
, and are persuaded, that the friend of their
. seals is gone before, and waits 20 receive
: them. He often gives them strong immor.
, tai hopes, nav, fall assurance shat soon
they shall be with him in paradise. The
, comfortable and peaccahle end TOO OF such
as have gone before, adds TO the security
OF all such as are following after, because
1t strengthens and confirms their faith in
the truth and faithfulness Of God. O il
Is noble sight 20 see death siript of hi:
arnor, and the believer beginning the
!. song of triumph in the valley Of the shad.
! ow of death. Methinks it must fiji tire
: hearts of spectators with admiration and
: comfort, and alleviate the SORROWS Incl
dent TO such scene. In proportion as the
-, christian withdraws from time, he enter,
!, into rest. We may behold his diving bec
= with the painful pleasure which the sight
! OF ship would afford, that was lust en-
= tering the harbor in q storm. We loot
: after him as the disciples did after their
:. blessed master, when he assembled ant
? we rejoice in the thought, that the mo
g ment OF his departure from us is also tn,
;, moment Of his happy arrival at home HI
; IS gone where signing and sorrow, attic
ton and distress shall annoy him no more
y for the " work of righteousness is pcac,
> and tl,p .fTprt Cf a. &C Il :. 80.