Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-06-17

the impression which WIS made upon US
by his attendance on one particular eve-
ming. Il was while the returns of the
Presidential election were coming in, and
when his success had just been placed be.
You'd all doubt. His friends were reioic.
ing and congraiulanng him. The night was
damp and dresry, and there were few in
attendance; but our venerable parishioner
was among them. And when saw him
enter, the thought which passed through
my mind was this Surely, if at such a
time you can remember the weekly meet
ing and come out to it in such weather,
you must take pleasure in being where
two or three are met together IN the Fame
of Christ On that occasion my remarks
were very plain and nvoluntarily shaped
with a reference to him but instead OF in.
dicating the least offence, he came for
ward and saluted me with special cordial.
ity and unusual seriousness of manner.
And here it is proper to add, that
He did not shun direct religious CONFER
sation, but sought IL. A short time after
entered upon this pastoral charge, be IN
troduced the subject to me, and minated
wish to unite himself TO the communion
of The church. confess | was appre-
hensive at the time. that he was under
sincere mistake, which is not very un.
common, and in my humble judgement,
exceedingly dangerous: and that is, that
approaching the communion, is the begin
ming of religion, rather than profession of
religion already begun mode of seeking
change of heart, rather than an outward
sign of an inward change already wrought,
and means of confirming the same.
therefore replied to him briefly, but re-
specially and encouragingly, and prom.
ised to place in his hands some appropfi.
ate books. A few days aiterward he re-
minded me of my promise, and gave
him Meade's Almost Christian, with
Wilberforce's Practical View With
the latter work, he professed himselfmuch
pleased. Some weeks a,terward, he came
to hold special conversation. | prefaced
my remarks to him, with words to this eff
feet: General, you are greatly my Sc
Nor and il in speaking TO you, | should
appear to be too plain, hope you will
not ascribe it TO any disrespect. Tie
promptly answered, certainly not: am
soldier, and consider you my captain
in these matters In that conversation,
he expressed his full assent to the cardin.
al doctrines OF the Gospel; but retired
without any definite conclusion. Other
incidental conversations were held with
him and aware that a profession OF rel-
gion in one SO conspicuous, must be for
great good or great evil, felt bound to
hold up the standard fully, but not repul-
sively. Although never advised him to
postpone his approach 10 the communion
until after the termination of the political
conflict, or lent encouragement to the idea
that il was duty to be delayed moment
by any external circumstance, from what
have learned, doubt not that he him
self had the impression that it would be
better to wait. Such erroneous impress
sions are not uncommon, and we may add,
may sometimes mislead those who may
be spiritual believers, but as YET weak in
the faith
might state other facts tending 10
show his kindness and respect for minis
tiers of the gospel, and his readiness to
contribute to every religious or benevo-
lent objects And when we add these
evidences to others, and particularly to
those exhibited in his last illness, may we
not infer that the saving grace Of God was
operating on his hearth True, its opera.
ton may have been retarded by the force
of worldly habits not quickly laid aside in
old age. 1t may also have been interrupt
ed by the assaults, collisions and excite
mcnts Of the political contest in which be
was prominent but when we bring his
case fairly beneath the tender mercy OF
Him, 'who knoweth our frame, who re-
membereth that we are dust, we cannot
but indulge the hope that the issue was
rest to his soul
In expressing this hope, however, we
must be permitted to add our regret that it
is not so clear as it might have been, if our
venerable friend had taken more open
and decided stand. His evening horizon
would then have been without clouds.
And although to the eye Of faith and hope
those clouds are tinged and frightened by
the cheering beams of the sun Of right
eousness' low sound from them. like dis.
tant thunder, seems to warn those who
are hating, to go forward and even to
admonish those whose feet are already
within the kindom Of God, to go up high.
er even up to the full assurance offaith.
And while we unite with surviving friends,
in rejoicing and thanking God Tor the
hope which we have in his death, we say
to every individual, prepare to meet
thy Godp If you have living faith in
Christ, confess him before men, and then
you may be assured that he will confess
you before his Father in Heaven. And
! il you have not such faith, be dlligent-
yea, intensely anxious, in seeking It, lest
-
THE author may be excused for here aPpending
a brief statement. showing the kind feelngsof Gen.
Harrison at parting. The evening before bis de-
parlure for the East, spent with him. IN com
pany with Others at the house Of a mutual hlehn
clergyman of our church, who by disease aitee'-
ing his vocal organs, had become disabled even
from teaching school, wished 10 apply Tor clerk
shin DESTROYS of furtherng his SUIT said 10 Gen.
! H. Il fear. Sir, yoa have been so troubled with
Qualifications for Office that another viii not be very
kindly received 1t depends, he SAID, upon the
onarter from which il comes mentioned the
| feN- .C,or a1nifting ,has IL xvae