The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1850-05-23
cALHoUN,s RELIGIOUS

ana religious characters
In the spling Of 1914, l became acquain-
ted with a clergyman who had been the
settled pastor of the church, (PresbVte-
rian, | am very sure,) in Mr.. Calhoun's
parish for more than twenty years; (for-
merlY.) He told me, that Mr.. Calhoun,
soon after his settlement, requested the or
ganization Of a Bible class, Of which he
desired to become a member. The class
was formed, and Mr.. Calhoun never failed
being present when at home, circrm-
stances permitting. He became, 10 use
the words Of his pastor, "the most devoted
member, and the most thorough and gen.
uihe advocate Of the great Fundamental
doctrines Of the Bible, as understood by
orthodox christians, he ever knew" "He
believed fully in the doctrines Of regenera-
ton and sanctlication BY the Holy spirit,
and so deeply was he impressed with the
truth of them, and his own lost condition,
that very often he came to the prayer and
inquiry meetings, and with tears implored
the prayers of the church for his CONVEX
sion.n During the ministry Of this clergy
man the church enjoyed several revivals,
but in none OF them did Mr.. Calhoun find
relief, and yet he could not and would not
abandon his orthodox sentiments.
In conversation with another clergyman
about two years ago, | was informed that
Mr.. Calhoun had, a few months before,
found the pearl of great price, for which
he had so long sought. That his mind
was calm and at ease, and his soul full of
love for the Redeemer.
That Mr.. Calhoun was a most upright
and honest man, Of stern integrity and al
most unexampled purity Of private life, a
true and undertaking patriot, devotedly at
tached to his country, and her best interests
and honor, none can deny, That he was
an evangelical christian, and died sup
ported with the christians hope and with
christian philosophy, have no doubt.
A few days before his death, when it
was thought he could survive but a few
hours, he remarked, "that he had no fears
Of death, no desire to live beyond his al
loted time" A friend present stated that
he was perfectly peaceful and happy, and
would die as calm as an infant" And
such was his death, though he contained
his mental conceptions 10 the very last
Is such the death Of the philosopher Is
there no yearnlng fol a few more days, nc
shrinking from the destroyer's touch?-
When it is considered too, that Mr.. Cal
houn saw, with almost prophetic vision
the great dangers al present lowering owe
, the country, aud felt, as he did, the impor
tahoe of everything possible being dom
: fol its salvation and permanency, is i
more than fair to suppose death woul
have been most unweIcome, had he bee
!, SIMPLY a philosopher? Man natural
deads the awful approach Of death; tn
: d,votcd patriot, filing an important pa
:" ii his country's service, desires life NOR
' ii the hour of peril than in safety.
:" To be able to say, then, as he did in thi
q mstimportant crisis Of the country, 9Th
Is h was willing to die if his time had com
OF aat he had no fear Of death" is pr
he mmptive evidence that 10 him, as to III
OF upostle Paul, ito die was gain" that "b
hg absent from the body, he might be pr
al s,nt with the Lord;"-"H aving desire
dpart and be with Christ" Whatev
q We may think Of the political views Of N
Calhoun, christian fidelity, justice to
church of Christ, and integrity to the de'
nd 6mand n true and impartial representati
hat d his life, character and hopes.
icy The Washington correspondent Of
is Toledo (Ohio) Republican, thus speaks
soil Mr. Calhoun's appearance after he b
ing been laid out.
Ibave just returned from looking W
the all that remains Of the wonderful man, v
ong for forty years, with perhaps a single
at | %cepdon. has, Influenced the desIinies:of
the natiSn, more than any other. AnimmeI
lare ~concOurse Of people are constantly visit
oide the room where he is lying. He is dres
la in a full suit Of black, with his fine WI
ives ing hair brushed back from the foreht
lity and presenting an outline Of senate
life dignity that never will be e1aced from
it minds Of those who looked upon him.
pre- face is calm and placid, and almost b,
lifuf in its innocence and cbild-like rep
and looks asif the spirit had passed a
in a gentle slumbrr. There is a 81
sou tinge Of sadness resting 90 the feat
'ne but M Of. suffering, although it is
zen The disease under which he has been
nor fering 50 long, was an exceedingly pa
usly one.
" my Seven thou sand eight hundred AM