The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1825-12-29
COM MCNIcATED.
. .CETTU ar z.


not received that public notice which it appears
to INC, to deserve. There are several interest
ing circumstances in the history of our deceased /
friend, comfortable to his Christian acquantan-
ces to remember, and il may be useful 10 his nl.-
ihcrous associates to record.
Ten years ago, he was in the fill tide Of pop
ularity, rising rapidly in the public estimation and
affection. The former practice Of his father, !
his own talents skill, and unwearicd devotion to |
his professional studies, joined TO his tender at
,cntions TO his patients ard his peculiarly ainia
bic manners, carly introduced him into general
notice, and gave to him and others the highest
hopes &C professional cminencc and extensive
usefulness. Soon, however, was he reminded
that the race is not to the swift nor the battle
to the strong" Hardly had he commenced his
promising career, when he stopped Shorthand
that forever! All his blossoms, SO " thick upon
him." soon withcrcd, tor there was 81; worm at
the root" CoSsuMrrIoN, that bold invader,
suddenly attacked, and in u short time, prostrat
cd his constitution Ills professional career thus
unexpectedly checked, his high hopes blasted,
his high pride was woundcd, his spirit rebelled
acrginst the Cod of Providence,--that very Be-
;nr whose Kindness he afterwards dcvoutly ac-
knowlcdgcd in this very dispcnsation.
\ Educated religiously, and living in the midst Of
a Christian community, he always expressed the
highest rcspec. for the truths of Christianity. and
because, to orthodoxy in doctrine, he added mo-
,rty Of life and amiability OF manners, like thou-
sands OF others, he concluded hnnscit " as good
n Christian as those who made higher protcs
sion.n Because he read the bible frequently,
PRAYED occasionally, and convcrsed freely OH
loctlinal subjects, he entertained no painful ap-
preEensions about his future. safety
Even the heavy stroke of Providence, though
it rested so severely on him, prodnced no s;.luta-
~ effect for several years He still in his heart,
without being fully conscious oft, hated vital pi-
ETY., and rejected AS impertnent insults the kind
a,llnonitions oiiiis friends. AT times he seem
to have turned his attention more seriously to
+ the subject Of religion, but finding his feelings
unmovcd and unintcrcstcd i'll the investigation,
he was easily discouraged and abusing the doc
triue of divine dccrees, he gave himself up to
spiritual incidence.
Bv the advice Of his friends, he sought a
warmer climate, and after one voyage to the ".
Indies, he took second to New Orleans. and IL
nallv fixed on Port Gibson, in the state of Mssis
sippi, as the place ofhis abode. 1t WAS here, f'i
8 removed from the means of grace. he at lengtl
"camc to bmsclf," and was led to the knowl
edge Of the truth. The deep depravity of hi
+ nroitableness OF ALI his former notions inreligion
the total insunciency of his lnurali'" 10 save Ii m
and his absoutc need ofregenerating grace, were
for the first time fully manifested TO his soul b,
: the holy spirit. with his change of views an.
G feelings the tone Of his letters was completed!
= changed. His robes Of pride were exchanges
for the garments thumty;-hs sclf-contidenc'
Welded 70 the most scupulous jealousy of him
n self. He complained continually of his perpleN
= itv, his fears, his need of instruction, and hi
r. spiritual impotence, and earnestly begs the conn
sci and PRAYERS Of al his Christian friends. The
advice which he had once slighted he now court
II cd, and most humbly and affectonatcly sough
y forgiveness from younger brother, whose ans
ieties for his salvation he had formerly trcate
with contempt. The proud Philosopher be
came little child; and the sclf-conp'acent Phar
: scc took the place Of the least Of saints AM
!, chief of sinners. Some of his former coGpanion
>" might learn useful lessons fi'oEl the pernsa o
his letters written after this period. But tn
space ofan Obituary viii not permit tho. ihsei
- ton here.
!. Contrary to his own expectations and that &
~ his relations, it pleased Providence to rcstor
" him once more to the bosom Of his family and tn
:, christian society in the midst OF which he wish
e cd TO die. lie returned to Wilmington about 81
=" months a5o and from that time to the day G
his death, the greater portion Of his time wa
spent in reading or hearing the scriptures an
N other religious books, Christian conversation
Il meditation and PRAYER When he could no long
hr er read himself he employed others to discharg
IN that duty for him; and Il pious coloured servai
4 declares that during the season, he read to hlI
the whole New Testament, with two or thrc
repetitions of the book of Psalms, he informing
* ling while he listened, commentaries and eXho
tations ofhs own. When unable to read Ion
OF paragraphs, Mason's Remains and Thomas
ut H., lpis by their short and pithy sentences, a
nt for,ic;l him food for meditation and prayer. A
a. the i" outward man' failed, the inward SCENE
le to grow stronger day by day. TO all who visi
cd him during the latter period OF his lire, h
rave the most satisfactory evidence that religio
'. with him was not merely fear of death {
~ dread of wrath, not flight Of fancy, nor ebulltio
w of selftleceved enthusiasm, but sober yet live
- " exercise Of every Christian grace. Thoug
W. highly gifted in utteIance, he could never TN
u words to cxpressthe depravity of his heart or h
n adherence of himself. The death Of Christ Il
to sinners seemed to overwhclm him with astonsl
he ment, and was frequently selected by him as tt
he most decisive of aproofs Of the infinite evil an
unreasonable guilt ofsin. His hope, tho peac
r. full and comfortable, was not always lively, all
tn was sometimes darkened by violent temptation
To the very last he prayed to be saved from sci
IT. deception, and endeavorcd to open his who
he heart to God. His pains at times were very e.
u- cruciating, but borne with patient submisslo
to the will of God. lie often spoke OF his aitil
ID ton as the only thing which (hunanly speaking
an would have humblcd his proud heart and mae
him let go the world. If he had any wish
!, =, live it was to bear some testimony against
~. former self, and to glorify the Saviour He loo