The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-12-05
FUNERAL OF REV. DIR. ARMSTRONG

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The funeral of DIR. Armstrong, Secretary
of the American Board ofForeign Missions,
who persisted in the wreck of the Atlantic,
was held in the Central Presbyterian Church,
Broom st., this (Monday) morning. Before
the appointed hour an immense assembly fill
ed the house, the aises, the entrance, and
covered the Steps of the house; while the OPP
posite stoops 81 sidewalk were crowded with
congregation ofspectators. The process
sion following the body having entered the
church, the services commenced with sing
ing,
"Unveil thy bosom, faithful tomb"
Dr. Skinner led in prayer and DIR. Adams
addressed the assembly AS an individual,
said he, could wish MOTTO speak TO you; l
would rather take my place among the
mourners, and bow my head and weep with
them. J., too, have lost II friend; yes, we
are all mourners today; our hearts are all
stricken. Ministers of Christ, friends of the
Redeemer, friends of Missions, lovers of good
men, we have all lost friend. We know
that he was prepared for the awful change;
but o! the qualities that prepared him for
heaven were the qualities that endeared him
to us. The grief which the Bible santions is
grief when the good are removed, "Help,
Lord, for the gody man ceaseth."
When the news came to us on Saturday
that the Atlantic was wrecked, and that ga
Clergyman by the name of Armstrong" was
among the lost we hoped that in some way
our friend might have been detained-bu
now the truth bursts upon us and we begir
to feel he is dead.
DR.. Armstrong was called to Boston on the
last week of each month, on business con
nected with Missions. Last week, his friends
urged him to remain with them till the storm
subsidized; but he was anxious TO be with hi
family on Thanksgiving day On Thursday
when the peril of the company was evident
he made himself known as Christian Min
lister; impaired the consultations of religion
and pointed them TO the Redeemer. An Off
Ger of the Navy, present here today, has givel
farther particulars ofthe last hours Of our de
ceased brother. While DR.. A. was leading
in prayer, this gentleman thought he recog
nized the voice, and after service found tina
it was that of his former pastor. Before tht
ship struck. after they had exhausted thei
ingenuity in preparation for the fatal inomen
this officer showed the passengers how Il
fasten their life preservers, and advised Il
tear the blankets in strips and wrap around
their bodies, to protect them as well as posi-
BILE from the blows against the rocks II
seems that DR.. Armstrong availed himself of
this advice. Soon after the ship struck. A
mother individual who has escaped, tells us
that Just at the last moment he was sitting
with the deceased in the gangway, and that he
said, 81 have perfect confidence in the wis
dom and love ofHim who doeth all things
we'll"
We recognise it as kind providence, con-
timed DR.. A. that the body of orr brother
was speedily rescued. With IS others it was
carried to Norwich. There were no papers
| left by which it could he identified; the pocll-
ct of his clothing had been cut, and whatever
documents they contained taken. 1t happen
ed, however, that young clergyman, who
once resided in the family of DR.. Armstrong,
was just then brought to Norwich. He rec
ognised the body,and there was great mourn
ing in that city. 1t was brought here on
Saturday night, and we have the mournfll
satisfaction thut the disciples of John had,
when "they took up the body and buried it,
and went and told Jesus"
For 26 years DR.. A. was faithful minister
of the Gospel. He was twice settled, at
Trenton, N. J. and Richmond, Va. IN his la
bors for the Am. Board all the Churches can
attest the ZEAL devotion and fidelity with
which he pursured his work. And now he
| is safe. We know not how to spare him, but
we sorrow not as those without hope. When
every anchor broke he had can anchor which
entered within the veil" How near this
brings us to heaven! One day in the midst
of us, the next walking the New JcrusaIem
Worcester. Evarts, Wisner, Cornelius, and
now Armstrong have gone. Our brother
like them kept the faith, and now the crown
oflife is on his brow. NY. Jour. Com. .Nor3O.
0PShould the Presidents Message be
little tardy in its progress north we shall not