Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-05-17

violent and exciting character seemed, in the opin
ion Of his physicians, to forbid the usual religious
services in his sick room, lest they might produce
an unavorable effect.
On Saturday evening, the Sd instant, about o
o'clock, on approaching his sick bed, his strength
appeared 10 be rapidly failing, and as little no
hope could be entertained of his recovery, few
of his friends united with me at his bedside in the
" commendatory prayer for a sick person at the
point of departure" to another world, set forth in
the church, to which he appeared to listen with
silent attention and appreciation. AT 80 minutes
before o'clock, by the watch held in my hand
on the morning of the 4th of April, he gently
breathed his departing spirit into the arms Of his
God and Saviour, and sunk to rest without the
movement Of a muscle Of his cOuntenance, a strug-
gle or groan. Thus, after one short months ell
ovation to the highest station and honors which
earth can bestow, he has passed away from all the
troubles, sorrows, aud trials of mortality, ! trust
and believe, to the possession and enjoyment OF
an unfolding crown of glory in the realms of Eler
nal Day. For, whatever mhy have been his char
acter aud conduct in former years, of late an evil
dent change had been observed by his friends in
| favor of true religion.
On Sunday evening | saw him in his winding
'tsheet, with acouMtenance mild and placid as when
! he expired.
The next day, ofter being placed in his coffin,
the Public were permitted final, farew ell look of
the Chief Magistrate OF this great Republic, the
President of nearly twenty millions ofpeople. 1t
is said that not less than ten thousand paid their
respects to his feless remains.
The sadness and gloom obviously marked on
all countenances now spoke the silent language of
grief The victim of death the eminent person.
age who so recently occupied the first place in the
gift of his country, whispers in the voice of SOL
emn stiffness, that the Great Destroyer has come
among us; that the mighty conquerer of man in
every age, for nearly six thousand years. has wing
ed his flight hither, and feled to the earth one who
had been distinguished in arms, in the councils of
his country, and in all the exceencies OF private
life.
i How exalted the mark How distinguished the
object How fatal the blow The arrow was sped
by the arm of Omnipotence: The victim fell He
lies beneath the cold earth to rise more until
the voice of the Archangel and the trump of God,
on the morning of the resurrection, shall call his
reposing dust into spiritual life. For " the uum-
pet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised, ncor-
ruptible, and we shall be changed, and summon
ed to the final judgment.
| In anticipation OF this coming event, and of the
awfuly momentous consequences involved in it,
our deeply lamened, departed friend, was not I'M
mindful of the needful preparation. 1t has come
to my knowledge that for some years past his
mind has been deeply impressed with the impor
tant concerns Of eternity and that he had fire.
quenly expressed his confident faith and hopes in
the Gospel of the Son Of God, and had been for
some time DESTROYS of uniting himself in commu-
Mon with the church, and intended doing so us
soon as tho recent political excitement should have
passed away, whether it terminated favorably to
his Presidential Office or otherwise. This holy
purpose, it is understood, had he survived was in
tended to be consummated on Easter Sunday but
it was denied him by the interposng hand of God,
. in whom he had placed his trust.
Il "Iife makes the soul dependant on the dust;
Death gives her wings above tho spheres.
Life is the triumph of our Wondering clay
Death OF the Spirit infinite, divine
His God sustans him in the final hour
His final hour brings glory to his God!
Man'e glory Heaven vouchsafes TO cali her owns
The great number of communications received
from different parts of the country, requesting in
formation on the subject of the demise of lie late
PRESIDENT, rendering it out of my power 10 ans
! them or 10 myself, has induced this communica-
ton for the information Of the clergy and Of the
public at large.
In preparing the above statement, it has been
my object to collect all the incidents and facts that
have come to my knowledge respecting the late
' President while in Washington DO one of which,
! singly would he of sufficient importance 10 estab-
ish his Christian character; yet, when combined,
they agreeably harmonize in manifesting the bent
I of his mind and the ruling desire of his heart.
May God, in mercy to the Nation, override and
= sanctify this painful dispensaon of his providence
TO the welfare and prosperity of his church, tho
cause of true piely, and the establishment of his
kingdom among men VIM. HAWLEY,
Rector Of ST. Johns Church.
r Washington, April 10, lo4l.