The organizer. (Oxford, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1849-08-25

.
Ia his private lile-it is the testimony
Eofone who knew him more Intimately
than any Dlher-he was more par-
tieular and punctillons in the observ>
ance of the rules ofmorality and the
precepts of Christianity, than even his
public life would i6dDcate. He was
an exceedingly considerations man,
and evinced that forbearing & forgiv,
ing disposition which more strongly,
indicates the Christian than the mere
~ honorable man, or kind hearted
citizen. And yet with all these attri-
butes and high qualities, no did not
regard himself while possessing only
those as u Christian. His estimate Of
the Christian character was higher
than all this. BEING deeply read in
the sacred volume, 81, having his mind
imbued with sense Of the spirituali>
ty of religion, be looked for lhatradi-
cal change of heart-the new birth.
called IA new creation or ''heing born
again" without which a m,n could
not possess The elements0f pure Chris
tian character. In reference TO these
points he was purely evangelical in
his sentiments, ms the writer believes,
and strongly Methodistic in his views
and here was he point upon which
his preference Tor. the Methodist
church turned. Not that he esteemed
lightly, Christians Of other churches,
or doubted their true piety, but be-
cause he had those strong and peculiar
views Of the spirituality Of religion
taken by the Wesleyans. Hence,
whenhe came to the point ofyielding
himself to the Savior as one who
sought pardon and publication, he was
overwhelmed with 4 sense Of mans
uuworthiness and utter helplessness,
and earnestly prayed for that'pure in.
ward work of Grace that is The foun.
tain and source fall practical eodli>
ness. lie was thoroughly satisfied
that, to be a Christian, he must be one
in experience and practice as well as
one in theory-hence he lamented in
his last sickness that he had not Civ.
en- himself wholly TO tie work of his
so that he might, in this
evenllul life. have honOrcd tho insti>
Iutions of the Christian religion and
shared the riches OF the grace OF Chris
in its fullncss and freeness. For
more than twenty years he bad enter
tanned the Gyed purpose of uniting
himself with the church, aud all the
had been settled previ-I
1us to his sickness. and his purpose
ully formed Of joining the chuch and
,onsecrating himself TO theservice of
sod and taking upon himsefa public
Profession Of The Christion religion
The great regret with him in his Last
hays was, that he had postponed a
natter of the most momentum, char
cter to an hour when he could not
IOnor his God by appearing to oher
willing sacrifice at the altar of reli,
ion, but seemed now forced by cir.
10 what, his God knew
Q had long purposed 10 perform
pay his VOWS TO the Almighty" The
lea OF a death-bsd repentance was, ?
} use his own language, 'most hu.
liliating to his mind" IL seemed TO
~ 10 the world that he had not been
Filing 70 honor the institutions Of the
Ospcl in his best aud strongest days:
hen in reality he said ''it was his
realest glory, the most rational
'ork, and the most exalted privilege,
how with submission to the cross
Christ"
In his close and ultimate cOnversa. =
ons with the Officiating mipister." \
e only particular anxiety that he /
tolive, was that he might
health and in the exercise Of all his /,
iysical and mental functions, make !,
I open and plain profession. OF his !,
it'll in the Lord Jesus Christ. As "
is could not be done, he resolved to
, forward humbly, relying upon the y
ercy Of our Lord aud Saviour Jesus Y
hrist, aud after several days Of pri. :.
tie meditation and prayer and full :,
I'd unreserved conversation with his !,
Gus wife, he determined TO avail him :
Ii Of the counsel and specialprayers .
the Gospel, and with them to invoke :,
g grace Of Christ. He accordingly !.
ut for t4see u che ministers ofthe
ty-his old acquaintance and per. 1
nal frienfls- and IN fxyo NJ Htar, ono ~
ing absent, he unreservedly opened .
5 mind; and finally, after mature -
liberation and much preparation, be :,
as admitted into the Church of his y