Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-11-24


philanthropy. .-,-...... 49,. ......
He lived and died in the belief Of the
primitive doctrin-s Of the Society OF
Friends. Tie was indeed the patriarch
Of that Society, and, being so regarded,
few, if any Of its members from Europe
or from the different sections of our own
country, who visited this vicinity, failed
To call and see him. This evidence ct
respectful attention was not, however,
confined To individuals of his own reiig-
io,is persuasion, for strangers of various
religious denominations, who CHANGED 10
visit Providence, were accustomed to
seek an interview with him, that they
might witness an extraordinary example
OF mental vigor and activity amid the de-
cay Of the outward man, and that they
might pay the respect due to his vcnera-
BILE years, his elevated standing and his
acknow lodged virtues On these and on
all similar occasions, his department was
not only digniied, but kind and "civil
beyond the forms of breeding" Such
was his knowledge both Of men and
books, that he always was enabled to
accommodate himself, with graceful ia
ciliiy, 10 the age, condition and capacity
of his visitors In the society Of young
people, he manifested much interest ,and
he sometimes observed that, without
grateful interchange of thought with his
juniors, he should be left almost IN sol-
tude, AZ he had long survived all cotem
porary relatives aud friends. His hos
ptaIity was proverbial, and the great
numbers who have partaken of his cordi-
al and unaffected kindness will long and
gratefully bear him in remembrance.
notwithstanding his undertaking ad-
herence to the peculiarities OF his sect,
so expansive was his charity that he cor
diallv united with individuals Of every
religious profession, in furhering plans
Of general benevolence, and in promot-
ing the best interests of the community.
His mind seemed to keep pace with the
improvements of the age, and, what is,
not common with the aged he was prompt
To- approve Of any changes which prom
ised to better the moral and physical con- .
dition either Of individuals or the commu-
nifty. When few years since, our mu-
nicipal government, under which Moses
Brown had lived for nearly century,
was about to be abandoned for more
efficient organization, he gave to the
project the influence of his opinion and
Of his vote.
On the 23d day Of August, he was at
tackled with Cholera Morbus. The dis
ease was soon subdued but it so exhaust.
ed the powers of life that no skill in me-
dicine and no assiduites of friendship
could import either vigor or elasticity tn
frame which had been exposed to the
vicissi,udes, physical and moral, of near"
ly one hundred years. Throughout his
last illness, he was able TO sit up n part
Of nearly every day, and TO converse
with many Of his friends who called TO
see him. On several occasions, he al
luded to the uncertain issue of his illness,
and, with prophetic forecast, he arrang-
cd whatever business of n temporal ma
ture demanded his attention. This done,
he awaited, with Christian eGuanimity
and with an unclnuded intellect, that
summons which was to set his immortal
spirit free from every earthly shackIe.-
On the 9th day Of September, this ven-
erable man, was gathered to his fathers,
aged 81 years, eleven months, and four
teen days.
That Moses Brown was no ordinary
man, these imperfect records of his life
are, of themselves, sufficient to show
Much of his acknowledged weight of
character NAV he asCribed to his clear
and vigorous intelect--his interchangeable
industry, and his untiring zeal in the per-
formance of what he deemed to be his
duty. lie was remarkable for firmuess
Of purpose combined with unaffected hu-
mility. Though his temperament was
naturally ardent, yet his habitual equa-
nimity was seldom long disturbed by
those collisions Of interest, which, in the
intercourse Of life are next to una
voidablc. lie not only forgave injuries,
but, ,as il wrought upon by the noble spir-
it of the Gospel Of Jesus Christ he seem
ed almost to forget them. No exemp-
tion from the imperlections OF mortality
is claimed for him, but it is given to few
men to live thus long, and thus free from
reproach.
l never could read the prayers and
meditations Of DIR. johnson, without be-
ing strongly impressed with the convic-
tion, that, into whatever temporary ct
rors of conduct he might have been be-
trayed, his heart was right in the sight
of God. And ! am quite sure that no
one could read the birthday confessions
And prayers Of Moses Brown, full as they
are OF humility and penhence, and graft
tude, and submission, without grateful
confidence that, throughout the stages
of his long probation, he was faithful to
his God-that he lived under the prevail
ing influence of Christian principle, and