Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-11-04
rHE Late DIR. ALEXANDER.

THE LATE DIR. ALEXANDER,
The New York Observer, in an extended
sketch of the life of this eminent divine, gives
the following interesting particulars concerning
the manner of his death:
Almost forty years have passed since DR.. Alexan-
der came TO Princeton. In the calmness of his well
balanced mind, and the beauty of a fchsracer more
symmericaly developed thaa we often are permitted
to look he there spent the and autumn OF his
life, in the bosom of his family, and surrounded by the
young men who regarded him always as their father
and personal friend.
A few months ago he told in private conversation
that he was dong the same amount OF labor in the
Seminary, and in his study, that he had always done.
The weight OF eighty years he bore with his harness
on, and when the Master came he was found $50 do
ing"
How did he die? He died as he lived. Until about
five weeks ago, he continued TO perform full duty in
the Seminary and TO mantain his usual amount of Ia
Dor in the study Old age had long been on him. The
three years and ten numbered and by rea
son OF strength they were four score "But his
bow abode in strength"
He was attacked with dysentery, which had been
prevailing to extent in that region and the fears
of his many friends were at awakened that the
blow would be fatal. Ripe fruit falls readily, when
smltten, and he like shock of corn fully ripe -
He continued to sink gradually, conscious that his
days numbered, and that the time of his depar-
ture was at hand. One son Qhe Rev. ]. w. Az was
upon the ocean, and the father earnestly desired that
he might see him ere he died The desire was gran
fore the father fell asleep.
Calling to his bedside, the Professor on whom his
mantle falls, he gave him the most minute expression
of his views ecng the interests of the Seminary
dearer to him IN death than In life, and having COM
mted 1t to Him who is the head all things for
the Church, be was ready to depart
Into the of domestic sorrow it is not our de.
sign to intrnde But it is right say that the grief
OF those dearest to him was Gained when they sat by
the bedside OF the dying saint, and the serenity
OF perfect peace reposing in his eye.
He called he Of he churph prin To
his chamber, and gave him his parting COUNSEL assn
RANGES of his strong affection, messages of love
to his family, and then bade him receive his blessing
The young man knet by the conch, and the patriarch
laid his trembling hands upon his head, and lifted up
his voice ard prayed for the God of Abraham and
Isaac and Jacob to bless him with the richest of hea-
ven's grace.
BY remarkable, but deeply interesting direction of
divine Providence, the Synod of New Jers one wear
ago, adjourned to meet in Princeton on the third
Tuesday in October, 1851. 1t came and it was the
day before the one upon which their venerable father
expired He was looking forward to their meeting
with great pleasure, and few days before, with pow
er OF memory rare, perhaps unparalleled in perfect
health, he repeated the ofone hundred and
heen OF the ministers OF that body who had been his
pupils sweet thought to each of them that they
were thus recalled in the dying hours and prayers of
one they revered His memory OF his pupils has
always been remarked extraordinary. He had
distinct recollection of each of them, their location
and progress, watching them in all their ways like as
father watcheth the children of his love.
Death never appeared to me delightful as now,
when it is near" he said to those around him. and Of
ten as strength allowed he spoke of the peace that
dwet in his soul The records Of these last hours will
be precious to the Church. and they will be found
to illustrate and confirm the expernce he has written
in his letters and sermons, as the fitting close to life
offaih
The great THEoLoaIAN who had preached theology
sixty years, who had taught theology other preach
ers forty years, who known in two hemspheres
as one of the most learned and distinguished Pro-
fessors of theology ofthe age, is now on his death
bed, and he made this observation in the hearing of
his friends. and we permitted repeat it for the
first time, but it will never be forgotten; it Will be
written and rewritten, and repeated hundred wears
hence: it was casual remark, but transcript of
the great mans mind and heart; he said: All nv
THEOLOGY isreduced to THIS narroao compass JESUS
CHRIST came into the aro,ld to sape sinners"
For three days prior to his departure, the lamp of
lite was burning so low in the socket that he was
able to converse but little and few besides the i'm
me date members of the family were permitted to
60 into the chamber where the good man met his ate
privile ged" as it was "beyond the common walks of
life, quite in the verge ofheaven." Gradually, all
most lmperceptbly, the silver cord was loosed, and
at six O'Clock on the morning of Wednesday, Octo-
Der %, 1851, the wheel the cstern stood STILL
He fell asee in Jesus; SO peacefully, that the mo.
ment Ell his spirits flight was scarcely to be detected
by the anxious watchers eve.