Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-11-18

This day that there is one treasure common TO
Them aii--and that u.s. the fame and character Of
Webster. TheyTcoount his deeds, ponder ever
his principlss and teachings, and resolve TO be
more and more guided by them in future
Americans by birth are proud of his character,
and exes from foreign shores are eager TO par
lticpate in admiration OF him; and II is true that
he is this day, here everywhere, more an OBJ
iect of love and regard, than on any day since
Ills birth.
And while the world, too prone to worship
mere intellect, laments that the orator and states
man is no more, we enter upon more sacred
ground, and dwell upon the example and coun-
sells of a Christian, as q husband, father and
| friend. trust il will be no rude woundng Of
the spirit, no intrusion upon the privacy Of do
nestle life, TO allude 10 few circumstances in
the last scenes of the mortal existence Of the
great man who is gone, fitted 10 administer
Christian consolation, and TO guide TO q better
acquaintance with flat religion which is adapted
both 10 temper our grief and establish our
hope.
Those who were present upon the morning Of
that Sabbath upon which this head of family
conducted the worship Of his household, will
never forget as he read from our Lords sermon
on the mount, the emphasis which he alone was
capable Of giving TO that passage which speaks
of the divine nature Of forgiveness. They saw
bcamng from that eye, now closed in death, the
Spirit of Him who first uttered that godike SEN
iment.
And lie who by the direction Of the dying man,
upon subsequent morning of the day Of rest,
read in their connection these words Lord,
believe; help thou mine unbelicl;' and then the
| closing chapter of our Savior'S last words TO his
disciples, being particularly requested TO dwell
upon this clause Of the verse: Holy Father
keep through thine own name those whom thou
hast given me, that they may be one as we are,
beheld sublime illustration Of the indwelng
and abiding power Of Christian faith.
And if these tender Temcmbranccs only cause
our tears TO flow more freely, it may not be i'm
proper for us TO present the example of the
l father, when his great heart was rent by the
loss Of daughter whom he most dearly loved
, Those present on that occasion well remember
when the struggle of mortal agony was over, re.
firing from the presence Of the dead, bowling TO-
gcthcr before the presence of God, and Joining
| with the afflicted father as he poured forth hi,
t soul, pleading for grace and strength from OF
high.
, As upon the morning of his death we con
= versed upon the evident fact that for the las
few weeks his mind had been engaged in pre-
l paration FOR an exchange Of worlds one whC
{ knew him well remarked His whole life ha,
been that preparation The people o. this ri.
raj neghborhood, among whom he spent the las
twenty years Of his life, among whom he died
| and with whom he is to rest, have been accus.
+ toned TO regard him with mingled vcncrarior
and love. Those who knew linn best. can tn,
most truly appreciate The lessons bob from II.
lips and example, teaching the sustaining pow.
or Of the Gospel.
, His last words, i STILL LIVE We may in
tGrpret in higher sense than that in which the,
are usually regarded. He has taught us how f
attain the life Of faith and the life TO come.
NividIy impressed upon the memory Of the
) speaker is the instruction once received as 4
the hitting way Of presenting divine truth from
the sacred desk. Would that It's force might b.
felt by those who are called to minister in di
! vine things. Said Mr.. Webster, when attcnt
upon the preaching Of the Gospel, | wish Il
have il made personal matter, A Personal
MATTER, A PERSONAL NATTER 1t i
r TO present him as enforcing these divine lesson
l OF wisdom and consolation, that we have recalled
to your minds these precious recollcctions
And we need utter no apology. Indeed, W,
should be lneXcuSabIe in letting the present op
, porilniIy pass without unvcilng the inner sane
+ tuary OF the life Of the foremost man Of all th
world; Tor his most intimate friends are wei
, aware that he had in mind to prepare Il worl
upon the internal evidences of Christianity, as
testimony Of his heartfelt conviction of the .di
l vine reality Of the Gospel of Jesus Christ Blu
: finding himself rapidly approaching those angus
scenes OF immortality into which he had so oft el
looked he dictated the most important part o
his cpltoph. And so long as the rock shall
guard his rest and the ocean sound his drgc,
the world shall read upon his monument no
only