Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-01-13
From the Christian Witness
The Late Rev. Mr.. Leayer.

n The Witness Of last week containe,
the announcement Of the death Of on
beloved tIo,hsr, the Rev. Thomas Lea
yer, minister OF ST. Pauls Church, Con
cord, N. II. lie has been taken ava,
in the very prime Of life after brie
illness, and when enjoying a very hunaI
prospect of a long life. His case is
solemn admOnition 10 his brethren in III,
ministry to do with their mi ght the sa
cred work which Christ has given then
to do and to keep constantly prepared Il
render up an account Of their steward
ship /; and TO show to those whom they
teach, how the Christian should 1--we
how also he should die.
This did our brother. From uncom.
monty robust health and manly vigor, hs
was suddenly brought y a sick-bed. =
The cause of his prostra,ion baffied the
highest medical skill, and il was not un.
Ill after his death, that it was asce rtain
ed that The disease was internal and oI
such a nature as no remedies could
reach.
From the first lie was possessed with
the belief that he should never recover
And he spoke Of his dismission with
composure and cheerful hope. His las
sermon had been from the words-'It il
finished, and is now remembered, by
his mourning flock, as being more than
usually earnest and impressive.
In all his sickness il was a const ant
source Of comfort to him that the great
topic OF his preaching had been Christ
cruciied. His infinite righteousness
was all his hope--on His merits and
love he implicitly relied for acceptance
aud salvation. And in marked degree,
God fulfilled to him the promise
thy day, so shall thy strength be- He
calmy set his house in order, leaving
messages TO his Sunday School and to
members Of his flock for whose saliva
tion he expressed great desire-and ta-
king a tender leave Of his partner and
his five little children, he peacefully
resigned his spirit to God.
The bitterness Of his sickness was
much alleviated by the unremitted kind
nes and attention shown to him, not only
by his own flock, but also by members
Of every denomination in Conc ord, who
with blessed and commenda5ls gene
rosity have given substantial proof of
their sympathy for the widow and the
fatherless. The blessing of Him who
has declared himself the guardian and
protector Of such especially, be upon
lheW.
In the brief space Of the year, in
which he had been settled as the minis
Ter Of ST. Paurs Church, our brother
had secured The affection Of his people
10 an uncommon degree, and was uni
versally respected in the community
Tor the many excellent qualities he pos
,esscd. Though his ministry was termi-
,ated at the early age OF thirty-four
had not lived and labored 10
had many fruits of his ministry II
md there are many, we doubt not, whom
'e will be able to present at the last
,reat day to his Master, as having been
ed to a saving knowledge Of the truths
Trough his efforts. /
The funeral service was perform
ID by the Rev. DIR. Edison, Of ST. Anne's
;hurch, Lowell, and the Rev. N. II.
1oore, Of Manchester, and the sermon
'ns preached by the RI. Rev Carl
IN Chase. ID. d., Bishop Of the diocese
The righteous hath hope in his death.
W, H. NJ H