The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-11-06
| 'r,,, Nh Boston .tt'u>.
THE FUNERAL OF DANIEL WEBSTER

Daniel Ncb-t-r'> funeral took place at his
late residence i'll Mar,hhrd. in accordance
with the arrangements announced on Wedncs-
tlav. Oct. %.
An immense asscmblacc of people were
roncrcgaicd in and around thegrouni>. The
coffin was exposed to view On the lawn, in
front of the house. and the greatest ea.-rncss
Was cvincrd 10y those present to take one last
look Of his majesty co,,ntcnance. The re-
mans were ciothcd III a blue coat. with brass
buttons, light vest white pantaiocns, and gal
ter hauts-thc usual and tavOritc dress OF Mr.
Webster. y large numpcr of !oIue's and
wrra,h- OF flowers covered the body. The
coffin bore 4 heavy silver late. on which was
inscribed TIE name Of "Ttnicl Webster In
the vast thrrng were seen residents OF the
adjoining ts>wnS, and persons from distant
cities AMI States Gen. Franklin Pierce was
present. and seemed much affected. The as
semblage comprised full representation of
all classes of American lite. We never be-
fore witnessed SO large crowd at which such
perfect ,lecorum was observed. All seemed
sotcrcd and saddcned by the melancholy oc-
casion which called them together.
The religious services were performed, as
requested by Mr. Webster by the minister OF
the village, the Rev. Mr. ALDEN. They con-
sisted of reading the scriptures, an address,
and PRAYER. The services were brief and
simple. occupying but thirty minutes They
we're selections from scripture, address and
prayer.
On an occasion like the present a multi
tudc of words were worse than idle Stand
inc before that majestic form. it becomes ortli-
nary men to keep silence. ale being dead,
vet snraketh" In the words he applied to
Washington, in the last great public discourse
he ever delivered, "thc whole atmosphere Is
r,dolrnt of his name; hills and forests rocks
and rivers, echo and re-ccho his praises. All
the cool. whether learned or unlcarntd high
or low. rich or poor feel this day that there is
one treasure common 20 them all-and that is
the fame and character of Webster. They
recount ais deeds. ponder over his principles
and teachings, and resolve to be more and
more guided by them in future. Americans
bv birth are prou,; of his character, and en-
lies from folei IN shores are carer 10 partici-
he is this day. here. everywhere. more an OBJ
icct of love and regard, than On any day since
his birth.
And while the world. too prone to worship
mere intellect, lamcn's that the orator Estates
statesman is more, we enter upon more sacred
Ground. and dwell upon the example and
counscls of Christian. as a husband, father
and friend trust it will be no rude wound
ing of the spirit, no intrusion upon the priva-
cv of domestic lie. to allude TO a few circum-
stances in the last scenes of the mortal rXis-
fence of the great man who Is gone fitted 10
administer Christian consolation. and to guide
TO better acquaintance with that religion
which is adapted both to temper our grief and
establish onr hope.
Those who were present nnOn the morning
Of that Sabbath upon which this head of a
family conducted the worship OF his household
viii 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 forgive
ness They saw bea.nine from that eve how
closed in death, the Spirit Of Ham who first
uttered that godlkc sentiment.
And he who bv the direction of the diving
man. upon subsequent morning Of the day
Il a. Il.
Lord, believe; help thou mine unbe!ief'
and then the closing chapter of our Savior
last words to his disciples, being particularly
requested to dwell upon this clause of tn,
verse: "IIoly 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 indwcl!ins and a
bidins power of Christian faith.
And if these tender remembranres onl,
cause our tears to flow more freely, it ma
not he improper for us to present the exam
pie of the father, when his great heart wa
rent bv the loss of daughter whom he mos
dearly loved. Those present on that occasio
we'll remember when the struggle of morts
agony was over, retiring from the prcsenc
of the dead, bowling together before the pre-
enre of God, and joining with the afflicted f;
Their as he poured forth his sonl. pleading fi
grace and strength from on high.
As upon the morning of his death VIC co,
vcrscd upon the evident fact that for the la
few weeks his mind had been engaged in pr
paration for an exchange of worlds. one WI
knew him, well remarked, Ills whole life h;
been that preparation" The people of tn
rural neghborhood, anon" whom he Spcl
the last twenty years of his life, among who
he died. and with whom he is to rest. ha,
been accustomed to regard him with mincl,
veneration and love. Those who knew hi
best, can the most trul Y appreciate the lessor
both from his lips and example, teaching II
sustaining power of the Gospel
His last words. Il STILL LIVE" we m;
interpret in a higher sense than that in viii,
they are usually regarded He has tang
us how to attain the life of faith and the Ii
to come.
Nivillv impressed upon the memory of II
speaker is the instruction once received as
the fitting way of presenting divine truth fro
the sacred desk. Would that its force mi :.
l." felt bv those who are called to minister
divine things. Said Mr. Webster. "Whon
attend upon the preaching of the GOSPEL,
wish 10 nave II made n p"rS0nm mH'er.
PERSONAL MATTER. \ PERSONAL MA
TER" 1t is to present him as enforcing the
divine lessons Of wisdom and consolation. III
we nave recalled to your minds these prccio,
rccOlcctions.
And we need utter no apology. Indee
we should be incxruSahle in LETTING the pre
rnt opportunity pass without unvcilinr the i
lrr sanctuary of the lite of the foremost ma
ui the world: for his most intima q trien,
are we'll aware that he had it in mind to pr
pare work upon the internal evidences
christianity. as testimony of his hcartf,
conviction Of the .divine reality" of the G.,