The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-30

For, whatever may have been his character and
duct in former years, of late evident change had
been observed by his friends in favor OF true religion
On Sunday evening saw him in his winding sheet,
with counlenance mild and placid as when he ex-
pred.
The next day, AFTER being placed in his coffin, the
Public permitted a final, farewell look OF the
Chief Magistrate OF this great Republic the President
OF nearly twenty millions Of people IL Is said that mol
less than ten thousand paid their respects TO his ieess
remains.
The sadness and gloom so obviously marked on all
counlenances now spoke the silent language OF grief
The victim OF deaih-ihe eminent parsonage who SO
recently occupied the first place ia the gift OF his coun
try, whispers in the voice Of solemn stiffness that the
Great Destroyer has come among US; that the mighty
conqueror OF man in every age for nearly six thousand
years, has winged his fight hhcr and elled 10 the
earth one who had been distinguished in arms in the
councils Of his country, and in all the exceences of
private life.
How exalted the mark How distinguished the
object How fatal the blow The arrow sped
by the arm of Omnpotence the victim fell he lies
beneath the cold earth rise no more until the voice
of the Archangel and the trump of God on the morn
ing OF the resurrection, shall call his reposng dust in
to spiritual life For the trumpet shall sound, and
the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall
be changed" and summoned to the final judgment
In anticipation Of this coming event, and of the
fully momentous consequences involved in il, our
deeply lamented departed friend, not unmindfuI
ofthe needful preparation. 1t has come to my know
deeply impressed with the important OF
nifty, and that he had ferventiy expressed his conf
dent faith and hopes in the Gospel OF the Son of God
and had been for time DESTROYS of uniting himself
in communion with the church, and intended doing
as soon as the recent political excitement should have
passed away, whether il terminated favorably TO his
elevation to the Presidential Office or otherwise
This holy purpose, II is understood, had he survived
was intended To be contaminated Easter Sunday but
was denied him by the interposing hand Of Gop in
whom he had placed his trust
Life makes the soul dependent on the dust
Death gives her wings to mount above the spheres
Life is the triumph Of our Wondering clay;
Death of the Spirit infinite, divine
His God sustains him in his final hour
His final hour brings glory TO his God
Mans glory Heav'n vouchsafes to call her own
The great number of communications received fiom
different parts of tho country requesting information
on the subject of the demise the late PRESIDENT
manner either satisfactory to them to myself, has
induced this communication for the Clergy and the
pubic at large.
In preparing the above statement ii has been my OBJ
ject TO collect all the incidents and facts that have
to my knowledge respecting the late President while in
Washington-no one Of which, sngly, would be Of
sufficient Importance to establish his Christian charac
ter yet, when combined they agreeably harmonic in
manesting the bent of his mind and the ruling do
sIcs ofhis heart.
May COP in mercy to the nation override and sane
ty this painful dispensaon of his providence to the
welfare and prosperity of his church, the of
pety and the establishment Of his kingdom among
men
VIM. HAWLEY,
Rector Of 81. Johns Church.
WASHINGTON, April 49, 1871.