The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-03-10

formly preserved his body erect From ear
y lie, he had been accustomed TO habilnal
activity This, in good degree, had over
come his naturally feeble constitution, and
gwen him an uncommon energy and elastici-,
~. his countenance was expressive and his
eyes indicated the active mind within. In
addition to the possession of more than an
ordinary faculty of perception he possessed
the talent of making nice discrimination. az
sight. consequently, his opinions on subjects
which occupied his attention were speedily
formed and all his business conducted with
dispatch and generally with accuracy. Nei-
Their his corporeal nor intellectual faculties
were ever impaired by the use of either tobac-
CO or alcoholic drinks, for he never used tho
former and rarely the latter.
In the midst of the most active and useful
period of his life he was arrested with fatal
disease and suddenly became numbered with
those who have long since been forgotten, or
remembered only as subjects Of history. For
two or three years his health had been decli-
ming, but not TO such degree as to render
him unable TO attend TO his ordinary concerns.
On Monday, notwithstanding the weather
was cold and stormy, he was engaged all day
with his workmen. On TUESDAY, he was
confined TO his room where he remained till
Thursday morning. when an apupectc par
oxyism deprived him Of Consciousness for
several hours. From this, however, he
gradually aroused, became conscious of his
condition, and fingered till Sunday morning,
| September 9Th, lS45, when he deceased at
the age off ity-nine years.
The loss to his family and to The communi-
~, although nearly SIX months have s &c e.
| lapsed, has hardly yet been fully realized. Is
is every day becoming more and more mani
| fest in the business circle. A more general
expression of melancholy has rarely been viii
messed than was manifested on lie sudden
and unexpected event. This was most str1-
kingly evinced among the whole concourse
of those who assembled on the occasi, of
rhe final scene. All appeared hushcd in SOL
cmn Silence. and deep characteristic of meI-
anchoy was depicted on every counienance.
All business was suspended, and what added
much TO the solemniry of the occasion. and
showed the estimation in which he was held
by The business men, was the closure Of every
mercantile house in The village. This last
circumstance, it is believed, is the only in
stance in which a like event has been wit
messed on similar occasion in the place.
In his religious views, he was sentimental
ly correct. 1t had long been well knovn
that lie held religion in high estimation, and
had on numerous occasions manifested his
convictions Of the truth of the fundamental
principles OF christianity. On the death of a
beloved sen, some time since, he exhibited
the most anxious solcitude in relation to lEs
preparation for the event.
Ii is believed he never had bceu a reviler
or opposer Of religion. 1t can not be said,
he was constant attendant on public wor-
ship on the Sabbath, but he was often. prob
ably in greater proportion Of the time, seen
in his place in the Congregational Church Oh
these occasions.
So much. however, was he enerossed Nv
the things Of the world that no time was
found TO attend TO the solemn realities ofan-
other, till he found himself lingering in the
arms Of death. Now, earthly things were
disrobed Of their charms and those of thesau-
lure presented in unobscured reality. For
himself, he prayed and exhorted christian
friends to pray for him. His burthen was 10
be forgiven BY all whom he might have iniur-
ed, and TO be forgiven by his heavenly Father.
Finally. he resigned himself wholly into the
hands OF his God and manifested heartfelt,
willing and cheerful resignation to remain az
his disposal; to remain or to depart as
should best conduce 10 the glory of God
Like the gradual pickering Of the failing i5s-
per, or the slow receding of the evening twi-
light his soul took IFS flight and left is tene-
ment, memento of earthly things.
Thus terminates all human perfection:
great, little, rich and poor all thus end. Here
is the common goal to which all must come.
In the grand drama of life few or none are
aware Of the responsibilities which dcvolve
upon them, or The influence they exert eithor
directly or indirectly, Intentionally or unin~
teniionally, upon the community in which
they happen TO reside. Or indeed are we
any better informed of the amount of good
or evil oui doings may occasion in thefuture.
Off, things emily, are we certain, that We
are rational aud accountable beings, and that
we must render an account for our steward
ship.
II is very clear that The subject of tis paper
possessed a very inadequate idea Of bis own
usefulness and responsibilities to " hat an
extent he contributed TO the comfort and hap
piness Of others. OF the motives by which
he was governed, it is not our province to ex-
anime, but it is evident. in the hands Of inf
Dite wisdom, he was made an instrument of
much good, although it may have been un-
thought of, and, at he Time unnOticed.
I 1t is probably fact that in our retrospect
ton OF the past, or in our considerations of
the present, business men are, generally. o.
verlooked. The learned, the professional
the statesman, the orator or the falsely sfyl-
ed hero are the subjects Of commentator.
while the business man, without whom the
others could hardly exist, have, too general
Iy passed life unobserved and died unnoticed.
Upon the business and productive classes
The whole superstructure of human society
is founded, and without these, society must
cease to exist. 1t is, therefore, but Just and
RE hi that TO them should be awarded fhe long
neglected need,
i "Thanks TO men
"Ofnoble minds is honorable need"
Middcbury, February, 1876.