The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-09-19

Gle which appeared in the 81. Louis "Herald
Of Religious Liberty" and which has refer
ence to Mr.. JAMES l.. Duncan, recently
Of Barnet in this county. A more particular
account ofhs death from the same paper
will be found under the head Of deaths
Tale ofReal Life.
Not long since we were called to visit, in
the hospital of this city, ayoung man who
was far gone, under the wasting influence of
that fearful disease, Consumption. He had
left his friends in the Norih,and had sojourn-
ed for a long time in New Orleans in the
hope of overcoming his malndy and regain-
ing his health, but now, on his return, his
further progress was arrested, and here, in
the absence ola better provision, he was OBJ
lged TO enter the hospital.
His haggard cheek, his poor emaclated
frame, every thing about him proclaimed,th TINT
Death, with stealthy, but sure approaches, had
supped the foundations of vitality, and TINT
speedily his triumph would be consurnmated
and the poor victim would lie low beneath
the clods of the valley.
There is thrilling solemnity in the con-
temptation of fellow being drawing near TO
death under any circumstances; hut oh! TO die
"a stranger in u strange land" this is terrible
lUuGGus AlOW ltHhtI anu tONiulIB wv W
email expression of kindness-"Nay you die
among your kindred" Yes, five must die
and Infinite Justice and Mercy have combin-
ed to decree it, may the ministrations of do
mcstic love be present, 10 soften aud assuage
the suifGrings of the closing scene.
But alas the poor sufferer was far, far n
way from home and kindred. No fond moth
or, or loving sister to wipe away the clammy
dew drops from the forehead, or smooth
down the pillow, or render any Of those
nameless offices oflove, which woman only
can perform, and in the doing of which she
appears to rise above the ordinary level of hui
manly. and seems almost wiihonta figure)
some ministerng angel STOPPING from the
skies, Heavens amoncr of Mercy, to cheer
the heart and to sustain the sufferer in the
hour of sorrow.
To us and all who saw him, it was clear,
that not many days were his on earth, and
yet, with that tenacty Of hope which char
acterizcs his disease, he would talk Of travel
ling north thar he might see n brother, and
having there recruited his strength, he thought
he might essay the journey TO his native green
mountain land, and have n sisters hand to
close his eyes in death Vain hopes! Aud
II was stern duty on our part TO tell him they
were vain. We spoke 10 him of that better
land where weary travellers find resting
place, aud of him whose love has provided
mansions ot'rest on high for the weary aud
heavy laden and it was sweet TO find, that sur
rounded as he was with all that is calculated
to depress and sink the spirit in dependency,
he was still one of those to whom the prom
Use ola faithful God belongs, 81 will not leave
you comiortless."
Oh what n monster of inhumanty is he,
who would rob the wretched sons and daugh-
tiers ofafflction, ofthe comforts and comsola-
lions which the religion of Jesus imparts in
the hour oftrial. Were it an illusion, it would
he cruel to dispel il to wake the soul from
the warm dream of happiness, (which is real
at least as long us it contnues,) to the cold
and cherries and Responding reality of
wretchedness. But it is not an illusion! and
the evidences of lis reality and truth IRE so
multiplied and powerful as to carry conviction
10 every heart and mind; unless oithe wifnlly
or judicially blinded.
The face of the sick man was lighted up
with the smile ofhumbe Joy and triumph. as
we spoke of him whose love is stronger than
death aud who cleaveIh closer than n brother
"Ycs." said he, Jesus is my friend, ] know it,
feel il; His grace can sustain and his presence
eau cheer me, and will not murmur or re-
pire."
From time to time we visited him in the
hospital, aud twice he mustered strength 10
crawl the distance 10 our house. With the
weakness and almost childishness of disease,
he wished for many things and had many lit
tie wants. Through the kindness of Chris
tian friends these were supplied, and he him
self removed to private house, where he
was ministered to with patient and tender as
siduity
Twice in the past week we visited him,
.end at his request invoked prayer hearing
God, on his BEHALF When last we saw him
he was racked with pain, but amid his anguish
torgettu of bis torture, he would echo our pc
titons, and once, carried away by the strong
current of Christian emotion, he burst forth
himself in prayer, solemn and soul moving,
for il was the spirit in its almost dying ago
MES, holding communion with It's Maker. We
made pause until he ceased and then com
lnending him to the strangers God, the God
of all comfort and consolation, we left him.
| The sequel is soon told. He has gone to
his rest His weary, painful pilgrimage is
past, and, now, safer life's fitful fever, he
sleeps well, because he sleeps IN Jesus. The
brief notice of his decease, will he found in
the usual place in our columns ofthis week
but we trust that Yhs record IS on high" and
that the poor and humble stranger, who came
10 die in St. Louis, has found a resting place
and home and friends and kindred in the
skies. .. ..
WAsHISGroN, Thursday Evening.
SUICIDE OF FELIX GRUMPY MCCON.
NELL. The Hon. r. G. Mcconnell, of Ala
bama, committed suicide this afternoon Al
halfpast two o'clock, in his room, at the St
Charles Hotel, by stabbing himself with ,
| large clasp knife three times in the neck and
five times in the stomach. He had been foI
| the two DAYS previous laborinr under the in