Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-07-14
Nr. CIay's Religious Character ana
Experience.

Mr. CIay's Religious Character an
Experience.
Tn the course of his sermon at Mr.. Clay
funeral, the Rev. Mr.. Butler gave the fol
lowing interesting account OF the rellglou
character and experience OF the grea
statesman:
Twenty years ago, said Mr.. Butler, h
wrote
~ am a member of no religious sect. an
I am not a professor of religion. regre
that am not. I wish that / was, and trus
| shall be. | have, and always have ha'
profound regard for christianity the relig
ion of my fathers, and for its rites, its usa
ges and obseryances."
Tha! feeling proved that the seed sowl
by pious parents was not dead though stiff
ed. A few years since, its dormant life
was re-awakened. He was baptized in TIT
communion. of the Protestant Episcopa
Church, and during his sojourn in this city
was in full communion with Trinity par
lsh. < .
/ 1t is since his withdraw from the sitting'
of the Senate that l have been made par
tcularly acquainted with his religious opln
ions, character and feeling. From his hrs
illness. he so expressed to me the persua'
sion that it would. be fatal. From that pc
riod until his death, it has been my prlyl-
lege to have held with him frequent relig-
ious services and conversations in his room
He avowed to me his full faith in the NOR
al leading doctrines fthe gospel-the full
sinfuness of man-the divinity OF Christ
the reality and necessity of The atone
ment--the need of being born again by the
spirit of salvation through faith in the cru
cited Redeemer. .-.
His own personal hopes of salvation he
ever and distinctly based on the promise
and the grace of Christ,-and strikingly
perceptible on his naturally impetuous and
impatient character was the influence of
grace, producing submission and patient
waiting for Christ and for DEATH. On one
occasion he spoke to me Of the pious exam
pie of one very near and dear to him, that
led him deeply to feel and earnestly to
seek for himself the reality ofreliglon.--
On one occasion he told me that he had
been striving to form copceptlonof Heayy-
en-, and he enlarged upon the mercy of that
provision by which our Saviour became
partaker of our humanity, that our hearts
and hopes might fix. themselves on him.
On another occasion, when he was suppos-
ed to be very near his end, | expressed to
him the hope that his mind and heart were
at peace, and that he was able to rest with
cheerful confidence on the promises and
merits of the Redeemer. He said with
much feeling that he endeavored to and
trusted that he did repose his salvation up
on Christ. That it was too late for HIM to
look at Christianity in the light of specula-
ton. That he had never doubted of its
truth, and that he now wished to throw
himself upon it as practical and blessed
remedy.
Very soon after this, administered to
him the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.
Being extremely feeble and desirous Of
having his mind undiverted, no persons
were present but his son and servant. II
was scene long to be remembered. There
in that still chamber, at a week day noon,
the tides of life all flowing strong around
us. three disciples of the Saviour. and the
minister of God, the dying statesman and
his servant partaker Of the like precious
faith, commemorated their Saviour's dying
love. He Joined in the blessed sacrament
with great feeling and solemnity now pres
sing his hands together and now spreading
them forth as words of the service express
sed the feelings, desires, supplcations and
thankssivings of his heart. After this he
rallied and again Twas permitted frequent
ly to join with him in religious services,
conversation and prayer. He grew in grace
and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saw
iour Jesus Christ. Among the books that
he read most were jays Morning and E.
vening Exerclses,the Life of DR.. Chalme rs
and the ':Christian Philosopher triumpha mt
in Death" HIS hope continued to the end
though true and real, to be tremulous with
humility rather than rapturous with assur-
ance. When lie felt most the WEAKNESS oi
his protracted suferings, it suficed to sug.
gest to him that his Heavenly Fatherk knew
that after life so long stirring and tempt
ed, such discipline of chastening and sui
fering was needful to make him meet fol
the inheritance of the Saints, and at once
the words of meek and patient acquies'
cence escaped his lips. Exhausted nature
at length gave way.
ss-An exchange, speaking of the art Of
swimming, says: "Men are drowned by
raising their arms above water, the unbuoy
ed weight of which depresses the head
Other animals have neither notion or abili
ty to act in a similar manner, and there
! fore swim naturally. When mar fall.
into deep water he willraise to the surface
and will continue there if he does not ele
vate his hands. If he moves his hands
under the water, in any way he pleases
his head will rise so high as to allow hin
free liberty to breathe; and if he will us'
his legs as in the act of walking (or rath
er, of walking up stairs his shoulders vii
rise above the water, so that he may us'
the less exertion with his hsnds, or apply
them to other purposes. These plain dl
rections are recommended to the recollec
tion of those who have not learned to swim
in their youth, as they may be found high
ly advantageous in preserving life."
SUBMISSION TO CIRcUMsTANcEs.-D
Johnson used to say. that habit oflookln;
on the best side of every event is bette
than a thousand pounds a7year. Blsh
op Hall quantity remarks, "For every ba,
there might be worse and when maj
breaks his leg, let him be thankful it wa
not his neck" When Fenelon's librar
was once on fire. "God be praised !" h
exclaimed, 'that it is not the dwelling G
some Door man. 1t has been beautiful