Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-08-16


cncc that he had mcted it out 10 others BE
Sermon, preached at the funeral of Hon
Mitchell Uinsdill, late Of Hines burgh, VI
by Rev. Mr.. ketser, OF Kalamazoo.
II T1N.1:x.
1t Is seldom that we are gathered togethe
in circumstance more melancholy than the pre-
sent. Our community has been thrilled will
the emotion Of sorrow, and under its impuls
we have met to pay sincere respect to tn
memory OF a much loved citizen. We come Il
mourn the departure Of one from that extreme
Iy limited class, whose age, wisdom and wortl
are public glory and blessing.
As we stood by this death bed, witnessing the
rcsistIess approach Of death, when medical skill
could bring no reliet,-when the affection o.
mother and wife, sister, children and friends
could not avert nor retard the work of death
we were compelled to stand aloof, and ac-
knowledge that the triumphing power of death
was complete. Then came to mind this con.
song thought that this seeming triumph OF
death was such in appearance only and not in
reality. Though death may point US TO his
trophy, as proof Of his reignng power, yet is he
Conquered-his power is abolished By him who
hath brought life and Immortality to light
through the gospel. Death in all his seeming
triumph is sfIll captive.
In such an hour as this, the danger is that
we look at death only in the light of nature,
and turn away from those views Of it presented
by revelation. The event of death which ha,
to-day called ua together, is Il visitation most
naIpabIe to the Ccnses. The scene Of his death
was calculated to awaken every sympathy of
our nature. The stiffness and silence of this
body, the absence Of that mind the muteness of
bis voice Of wisdom ard kindness, the habii.
ments q the grave, the coffin, the sad process
sion, the burial, the return TO desolated home,
the vacant seat, the constantly recurring eVid-
ence of his departure, the sable dress of mourn
ing. the accumulation of responsibilities which
he had Jornc all these natural aspects of the
event. arrest the attention, and III, whole ten
dency is to absorb the mind entirely in those
views oI his death which nature presents. Abb
sorbed in such contemplations, and they can
not he entirely put aside, nature must weep.
The heart will be borne down with a grievous
lurdcn of sorrow. None can tell how many,
ioW lonely and sorrowful are the hours which
ly day and by 'ght enter into the experience
# wjdowhood Viewed simply in the light Of
nature, this event is fraught only with sorrow.
n this natural aspect of his death we can only
Sit down and weep with this stricken family.
Bat there Is another aspect to this event.
When the gospel sheds It's light over this sor-
,owfal scene, how chanred are all its features
tou who are sliIl in the desert need no longer
weep for Linn who has entered the celestial
'iiy not he who is crowned victor, but they /
Who remain in deadly strife, are the objects Of !
'iiy.
We fear death, and often pray that We may
,e delivered from his grasp. But we not only |
Tread thing of nought, an abolished thing. |
Jlt We shrink from friend, whose coming TO
he christian cun.crs q Blessing beyond what
hc heart can conceive. Nothing could have
,ocn a grcater personal blessing to our de-
parted brother than death. For HIM to die was
rain. No wonder christians are joyful as they
ne departing To be with Christ. 1t is astonish-
NO tilat we do not long for it more instead OF
,rai q 40 spare Inc that ! may recover
strength before ! 60 hence and be no more
Why do we not rather pray" Come Lord Jesus
,omo quickly !" 1t is wonderful that we DO
lot welcome the harb.ngor 0! Cnrist's approach.
md rejoice in the decay of our earthly taber.
lacIc. Il should be no surprise OF the chris
ian as lie brcalhes his life away.
Wlen | arrived at the dying bed Of our de-
,arled brother, he remarked can survive but
few minutes more > aud though enduring
ntcuso bodily suffering, he added, Christ is
ny strength and my trust Soon his suffer-
ng ceased and he gently fell asleep in Jesus
That was a scene of conflict and of triumph.
'or him we come not here to noun, but to
ejoce-to celebrate victory, and TO echo
ack the shout of triumph which his ransomed
oul has alreudy uttered.
1t is only when we look upon his afflicted
lmily and his afflicted church, that we mourn
Vhcn we think OF him-that with him the tri- ,
Is and conflicts Of life are past-that he is alb
ont from the body only to be present with the ,
ord, then we rejoce-We enter into sympa-
~ with him in the glad exchange which lie
as made of earth for heaven.
Oar departed brother was born Jan. A, 1871,
, Incsburgh W., and departed this lite April
8, 1880. The following notice OF him is fur ,
lshcd by one who, acting in public life, knew
i'm vel;
The lloo. Mitchell Ilinsdill was sclfmade man. |
lyng studied his legal pro esslon mostly alone; and
am correctly informed, after he became the head ,
/ iamliy, he was very respectable barrisler in .
e state of Vermont and after he settled in this I
'unly, he was appointed prosecuting attorney, and d
schargtd the duties OF that station with credit to
nseli and acceptance to the public He was pos s
ssed OF n good memory, and seemed always to .
tain n knowledge OF principles rs well as facts, }
ilh unusual tenacity, which rendered him efficient
POLITICAL business and social life. lie had been @
member of the legislature OF his ma tive state one 4
more sessions. In the Offices he has holden in ;,
is county, he has been alike useful and popular: ]
pecially in the Office Cf Judge OF Probate in which Il
displayed the virtues OF his benevolent dispose |
on, as the friend and adviser Of the widow and {
phan. After he looked upon his death as near a
hand, and contemplated the wdowhood ofhis wife i,
I'd orphanage OF his children he remembered his u
tegrity and kindness TO other afflicted families and u
ssuy consigned his wife and children to the God d
the widow and iaiherless. d
Arlhce and duplcity were unknown in him. l.
enerous and frank in his feelings, severely i,
ern in his principles, and upright in his ac- a
lns, he was the SAFE adviser and TRASHY friend |
all Aristocralc feelings were TO him equal S
obnoxious. Simple in his manners, liberal fl
his principles, kind and generous in all his ii
sociatlons with men, without regard to rank d
fortune, he daily exemplifed the severe in. ii
gritty OF his Puritan principles. II
la domestic life he was eminently beloved - n
is were qualities well fitted to secure the a
'ncration and love of n household. We can b
It err when we say he must have been an d.
tec,ionate husband, son, brother and father "
must be pleasing to his companion, now his C
hlcted widow, when the first days of grief are lt
'ssed to look back on union or nearly two n
ore years harmonionsly enjoyed, and now Il
oxen only for season, to be resumed, we T,
usi free from seDaTatiOn and imnerfeelinu he. Al