The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-09-16

BY REV. JOSHUA MARsDKS


greatness and originality which lifted him
lar above the merely learned man, and fitted
nm to be great without science, and veneer
able without titles. His knowledge OF men
was profound and penetrating hence, he
looked into characters as one looks into a
clear stream in order to discover the bottom:
yet ne did not use this penetration to con-
pass any unworthy purposes; the policy Of
knowing men, in order TO make the most
of them, was litlleness to which he never
stopped. lie had only one end in view,
and that was worthy Of the dignity of an
angel; from this nothing ever warped him
aside. lie seemed conscious that God had
designed him for great work, and nothing
twas wanting on his part to fulfill the inten-
zion of Providence. The niche was cut in
the great temple Of usefulness, and he
stretched himself to fill it up in all its d.
mansions. To him, the widest career of
labor and duty presented no obstacle. Like
a moral Cesar, he thought nothing done
while anything remained to do. His pene-
trating eye measured the ground, over
which he intended TO sow the seeds of eter-
nal life; while his courageous and active
mind cheerlully embraced all the difficult
ties grated upon his labors. He worship.
cd no god Of the name Of Terminus; but
stretched his slime of things" far beyond
the bounds Of ordinary minds. An annual
journey OF NIX thousand miles through will
derneSs country, Ohe best roads of which
require patience and caution, and the worst
set description at defance,) would have
sunk ieebler mind into dependency; but
neither roads, weather. nor accommoda-
lions, retarded his progress, nor once moved
him from the line Of duty. He pursued
the most difficult and laborious course, as
most men do their pleasures; and although
for many years he was enfeebled by sick.
ness, and worn with age and infrmity; two
hundred thousand persons saw with aston
iShment the hOary veteran still standing
IN his lot or pressing along his vast line
Of duty with undiminshed zeal.
The Methodist connection in United Am
erica gloried in having such a man to pre-
side at their head: and few Of the preachers
ever spoke of his integrity, diligence, and
zeal, without imputing to themselves some
worth in having him as their bishop. To
all that bore the appearance Of polished
and pleasing life he was dead; and both
from habit and Divine grace, had acquired
such true greatness of mind, that he SEEM
ed to estimate nothing as excellent but
what tended to the glory Of God. Flattery,
/ Of which manu- eyraaf mind a.o l.. l., -.
cePtible, found him fortified behind double
guard of humility: and opposition but serv-
ed to awaken those energies OF mind which
rise with difficulties, and surmount the great.
est. lie knew nothing abou, pleasing the
flesh at the expense Of duty; flesh and blood
were enemies with whom he never took
counsel; he took a high standing upon the
rugged Alps Of labor, and to all that lag
ged behind, he said, "Come up hither. -
He was ngid enemy to ease-hence, the
pleasures Of study and the charms Of recre-
alton he alike sacrificed to the more SUBJ
lime work Of saving souls. His faith was
a constant ''evidence Of things not seen, +"
for he lived as a man totally blind to all
worldly attractions.
1t is true his selEdenial savored OF auste.
rity. and yet he could sympathise with an
others weakness. Some great and good
men have had their sportive moments, and
without committing ''hslf sin, have both
smiled themselves, and been amused with
others. But although | have been in his
company on variety Of occasion, | never
saw him indulge in even innocent pleasant
ry: his was the solemnity OF an apostle; it
was so interviewer with his conduct, that he
could not put of the gravity Of the bishop
either in the parlor or dining room. What
ION account OF levity) was once said OF a
popular preacher, that he should either new.
er go in, or never come out of the pulpit,
could never be applied to him. Wisdom
f is not more distant from folly, than his con
duct was from any thing akin to triaing.
lie had his stated hours Of retirement anC
prayer; upon which he let neither bushes.
: nor company break in. Prayer was the
2 seasoning Of all MS avocations; be neve
a suffered the cloth to be removed from tn,
: table until he had kneeled down to address
the Almighty; it was the preface to all bust
: ness, and often the link that connected op
; poSite duties, and the conclusion Of whatev
S er he took in hand. Divine wisdom SCENE,
, to direct all his undertakings, for he sough
f its counsel upon all occasions; no part o
II his conduct was the result Of accident tn,
e plan by which he transacted all his affair
Il was as regular as the movements Of time
v piece; hence he had no idle moments, n
t fragments of time broken and scattered u
d and down; no cause to say with Titus, an
r. friends, have lost day." Pleading wit
: God in secret, settling the various affairs {
e the body over which he presided, or speak
o ing ''to men for their edihcation" in N
d pulpit, occupied all his time.
" As preacher, although not an orator, b
81 was digni6ed, eloquent. and impressive
ID His sermons were the result Of good sens
l. and sound wisdom, delivered with great al
" thority and gravity, and often attended wit
r. Divine JUNCTION which made them re(resl
I'd ing as the dew of heaven. One Of the la
Or subjects heard him preach upon, va
y union and brotherly love; it was the gea
o. est ever recolect to have heard upon tn
ut subject.
as His chief excellence, however, lay
e, governing. For this, perhaps, no man WI
better qualified. He presided with dignit
a. moderation, and irmness, over large BOD
- of men, all OF whom are as tenacious
n liberty and equal rights as most men in Il
d. world; and yeteach submitted to an authc