Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-11-06
OBITUARY..
Ell NJ. stebbins.


called away, ii is very painful to think that
they are gone from Us forever, and that in
The relations Of this life they can be with us
no more. But if, with the righteous, thew
have hope in their death, il is relieving TO
our sorrow 10 trace the brief history of their
lives, prompted with desire that the mani
lsslalions ofthis well-founded hope, gleam-
iug with an unearthly brightness in the near
approach TO eternity, may yet linger for
lille season amid the darkness of ruined
world
Eli NJ Stebbins, the eldest son of Sam
uel Slebbins, Esq, Of Brookline, VT, was
born, May 20, 1914.
In the first development Of character.
the sedate, the thoughtful, and the serious
were conspicuous. Candor and sincerity
were prominent virtues Of his childhood
and youth. Attic early age of thirteen, ne
became hopefully converted TO Christ, and
united with the Baptist church in Brook
line Notwithstanding, at this period, the
disposition Is so volatile-the understanding
soimmature-and the affections so variable.
that divine truth generally has less row.
elul hold upon the heart and conscience
Than al any other time Of life, yet it is be-
leved that our young brolher--even amidst
The thousands Of temptations that beset
with overwhelming power the youthful
head-ever maintained a creditable chris
ian profession.
Al the age Of about twenty, leaving his
former agricultural pursuits, he began to
prepare for college. 1t was at that time
that the writer Of this formed with him a
very familiar and intimate acquaintance
AS a pupil, MIR. Stebbins was highly es-
leemed and respected-as member Of the
lamily-kind and amiable-he merited and
received entire Confidence as fellow
disciple Of Jesus, he was warmly beloved.
His Ultimate object in study was known on
) y 10 few friends. II is believed 10 have
been the ministry. Instead of that conf
dent iorwardness sometimes noticed in 9th
ers, he spoke of it rarely, and with great
4 @odeay. He seemed 10 feel that the spe-
cal service of Christ was the only pursuit of
nabding interest to him and yet he could
hardly allow himself TO hope that God in
bis providence would open the way for one
so anWorthy-in his oion estimation-to
engage in so sacred and solemn an employ
ment. His preparatory studies were pursu-
ed at the Academies in Ludlow and Towns
bend, VT, whence he entered Brown Uni
Versily, at Commencement, in Sept, 1885,
As scholar, Mr.. Stebbins was diligent,
persevering, and successful. As a young
man, he was obliging, open-hearied and be-
nevolent in his disposition. His christian
character, always uniform and consistent,
shone forth more brightly in the closing
scenes of his life.
His constitution was never strong, and
fears were often entertained that he would
never be able TO complete his studies.-
When, however, he returned from a visit Il
Vermont, where he spent the spring vaca
lion, his health was unusually good. His
friends apparently had never better reason
to be sanguine 10 their expectations. Blu
alas how soon were their hopes blighted
Toward the close of the summer term, BIZ
health failed. Induced, by the hope Of it
speedy restoration, he visited some relative
residing in Norton, Mass, where, after fey
weeks continued illness, he died, Sabbat
morning, Aug. ii, in the Goth year Of hi
age.
From the correspondence Of those VIII
were with him, il is believed that his La
noufs, through the merciful kindness Of b
heJeemer, were filled with joy that is vi
speakable.' AT first, dark cloud hoverin
over, seemed TO intervene between The so,
and It's Savior. BY conversation with tt
very eslimable and pious lady Of the famil
where his last earthly wants were so fire.
" and kindly supplied, and by medilatio
ms cloud appeared TO be removed, ar
Christ was nearer and more than ever pr
eious. His hope in the Savior revived. ]
At a meeting Of the members of the Sophmo
Class Of Brown University, holden Septeinber
1889, II was 70
Resolved, That we have heard with the deem,
sorrow and regret, that our cassmate aud broth
nLI W. y ESsiAs ol Brookline, VT, has, since
commemorative our last vacation beer, raa,ov
irom our circle BY the hand OF death. And 4
while we view death al all times as a sad an :.