Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-07-30
Hcnry Clay.

We direct attention to the following valuable COM
munication from Kentucky. We thank our cores
pondrnt Tor it, It conveys intelligence of thrilling
interest. Many OF our readers, the personal friends
mud admirers OF the eminent man who is the subject of
It, will rejoice i'll this impressive declaration Of ms faith
in Christ.
Such an event might have been antcin,cd. The
uniform respect with which Mr.. Clay was known to be
IN the habit OF regarding religion, and his freqien,
pubic expressions OF n desire 10 be a Christian had
inspired the hope, that if God in his providence should
ever permit him TO leave the noisy arena of public life
he mig amid the quiet Influences OF his own loved
home, become Christian.
Ills has been cvcniiu career few public men of
my nation have passed through more exciting scenes :
none have dcmcaned themselves with more iorti,ulc
or dlspaycd more real greatness in the midst u them
and We must be permitted to express the opinion that
no man since the time o him who was first in war
ist peace and first in the hearts OF his countrymen
has eNerted more saluary induencc in the councils of
the nation than he Men of all parties have frankly
hcknowcdgcd his eminent services and have accord
Ell to INN the need OF praise in this respect, he has
been more than satisticdhut this was not all he need
cd. :" What IS honor but name r How incapable
oil sustaining the soul in sorrow How empty in pros
pect OF the grave and the Judgment The venerable
statesman has found it to BE- so, aud vino can dcsb
that IN the deepest sincerity, and the most humble
OF his days To God
May the evening of his proactcd lie he like that
OF ms Distinguished contemporary and long valued and
pous 'riend, Tue late Chlct Justice Marshall of whom
1t was beautifully said His setting sun was seen in
It's clear ucloudcd splcndor, bcamng as descended
with larger orb, and more soitercd rht until the
very moment it sank beneath the horizon, with beau
udu ana tralluiiizins transparcncy.--Phlla. Fps.
Rccordcr.
TuE BArrisM OF HrsRy CtAy-A notice was very
generally circulated through the prbiic papers of the
c0Gntry, two three wears ago to the effect that
Mr. Clay had become member OF the Protestant
Episcopal Church. The wish was doubtless, father
70 the thought as Mr. Clay had not nj that time taken
any such step He has always been known TO have
the highest respect Tor the institution OF Christianity
aud to have been decided believer in the divine au-
thrnlcity OF the Christian rcligon--his amiabe and
deeply afflicted wife, having for many years been an
humble follower OF its Blessed Author When the
weather permitted it, living as he does a mile and
half from church, Mr. Clay has always been regular
attendant on It's services and for two three yclrs
past having had more leisure from public dnty his NJ!
'rnunn had evidently been turned to the high colsid-
.tailons connected with things spiritual and eternal
hrs e having been devoted :, intensely to the good OF
others, ~ scarcely, until this pcrod of retirement to
leave l1in an opportunity to think ut himself But he
has at length cotsecratcd his great powers to God
lie was baptized in the little parlor at Ashland, on
lay afternoon, the % inst, together with of
his daughers-in-law ,hc other being already mem
her Of the church, and her four children, by the Rev.
FIward i. Berkeley, Rector OF Christ Church. leaing
ION. The baptism was administered privately for che
mason, that the aggregation OF Christ Church
replacing their old church with new cdi'icc, now in
rapid progress OF erection, aud not suitably situated
Tor the most solemn aud decent administration OF this
rite IN public
When the minister entered the room, on this deeply
solemn and Interesting occasion the small family con
-rNllns and the ccrgvman's wife up. In the
mliir of the room stood large centre table, on
winch WI, placed. filed with water, the magnificent
CIT glass presented to Mr.. {. by gentlemen
"l IIttShurL Ca one sd" al the room hung the larg'
picture OF the family OF Washington, himself an Epi,-
coptlan 10y birth, by education and Gcyout cOmnu-
laran' Of the Church and inimeji1rIy opposite a
~ table, stood the bust ot the ancuicd Harrison
with chaplct OF withered flowers hung upon his head
who was to have been confirmed in The Church the
sabbath after he debit witnesses OF such scene
Around the room were suspended number OF family
pictures, and among them, the portrait OF beloved
dhnsht-r who dlrd some years ago, IN the triInpis
OF that faith which her noble father abou,
embrace and the picture OF the late lost son. who i.
NJ the battle OF Bucua Vista Could hcs. silent look
crs on al the scene about transporting have spoken from
the marble and the canvass they would heartily have
approved tr act which dedicated the great man to God
In-rr was deep emotion pcryadng that small
s'uby at the recital under such circumstances OF the
Sublime ordnal OF the Church and every heart thrilled
with solemn JOY, when the nrrciu and glorious cove
nant vas sealed, " IN the nam" o the Father and of
thr son and ct the Holy Ghost"
3hls net will be publicly ratified at the visitation of
the BISHOP on the third Sunday in July in the Amos
tOllc rite OF continuation.
Onr ul tbs prominent nl the present day is that
the great men OF the country, Il. body, although 1t
iuny be, Tor the most part speculative believers in
Christianity, are, nevertheless not regaritul OF rs
glon, and OF God. Let them review their grounJ-
Jet t,"in look u, the Tremendous influence thev WELD
N hcha OF rregion and OF evil and consider the
mighty power they might exert for religion and Tor
good. Let them fix their eyes upon the practical tcs-
tnpny to the truth and value at Christianity, gwen
by that giant in intellect whose name stands at the
head OF this paper and 20 and do likewise. 49,
Lexington, Ky, June -, 1917.