The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-08-17

nVWe cheerfully comply with the request ola
friend 10 publish the following, from the Morning
Star:
WILLIAM CAHooN WILLARD.
Died, in Lyndon, VT, Feb. II, 1871, William
Cahoon Willard, in the twenty seventh year Of his
age. Brother Willard experienced religion quite
early in life and connected himself with the M. E.
Church, of which he continued n worthy and use
ful member till death closed his earthly pilgrimage
The character Of the deceased it will be imross
bic for me fully to describe in short newspaper
notice q few of the more prominent facts Of his
life ind dcath, is all that be given at the pres
ent Time. His intellect of the highest order
Early trained habits OF study and Llose thinking
he outstripped his companions in the study of the
ancient and modern languages, and attained a
fund of Knowledge of which few of his age and
opportunities can boast He was remarkable for
his power of abstraction. So prominent was this
trait in his character, that he sometimes had the
appearance of beng haughly and unsocal, than
which nothing could have been farther from his
intention. Every question of importance he ex-
amned with the utmost attention, concentrating
his whole mind on surveying the field of argument
with skill rarely equaled Hundreds will bear
testimony to this assertion. Long will they remem
Der his sallies of wit, his Intelligent conversation,
and the cheering influence of his society?
But when to speak Of his religious
character, we raise degree higher in our praise
and admiration Well might his brethren pray
that his mantle would fall on them, and impart its
ennobling and holy influence. Methnks ] see
him now in the praying CIRCLE and hear his fervid
petitions, and hear his eloquent plea in behalf of
the religion of his glorious Redeemer. To the
Sabbath school and Bible class, likewise, my mind
reverts, where lamented brother shone with
h. k.:c I,,.t cc
the principles Of righteousness, early engaged his
attention, 81 called forth his strongest efforts Hun
dreds will long mourn his absence from their
youthful Circle and shed the tear ofsympathy, as !
they'visit the spot where reposes the decaying re-
mains of their devoted affeetionate, and faithful
Sabbath school teacher. And may not hundreds
remember him as tbs instrument Of their conyers |
sion to Christianity?
AS citizen Br Willard had the entire conf |
dence of the community. He strictly honest
in all his dealings, ana! careful to remember and
discharge all his obligations One remarkable and
beautiful trait Of his characer-a trait which shone
conspicuous in all his public and private relations
was an unwilllngness TO detract from The repu-
tation, injure the interests of his fellow beings
by mentioning their faults, or circulating gossip
reports about their character. May his surviving
brethren initiate his example and possess the peace
which filed his benevolent heart
Five months before his death he was taken with
hemoptyss, bleeding from the lungs, which near
ly terminated his mortal career. He however, par
TALLY recovered from this attack, and able to
ride out occasionally; but 1t became apparent
that his lungs were becoming diseased to degree
to preclude all hopes of recovery From the first
ofJanuary of the present year, he gradually grew
weaker and every symptom indicated the existence
of a quick pulmonary CO assumption. But the
outward man decayed, the spirit rose in strength
and prepared for an upward fight to the imperish-
able mansion of rest in heaven And when the
last hour arrived, when the summons OF death
awoke his quiet spirit from its dream of felicity
and announced the end of Its probation, he well
coined it to his bosom a friend to release him
from his earthly prison, and conduct him TO more
durable and pleasaDter abitation Calling his
friends around him, he exhorted them to study the
Bible and serve their Maker with their whole en- |
ergies And then. summoning his remaining
strength, he said, Praise God, it is done, and
shortly gave up his spirit to God, its Author and
Redeemer.
Thank God il is done, thank God it is done,
The battle is over, the victory is won;
Earth's trials are past, my spirit is free,