New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-01-07
Death Of Professor Moses Stuart

We regret to announce the death of this
venerable theOlogian and eminent man, which
took place at has residence in Andoyer, Mass,
last Sunday night, Jan i,h. The disease, to
which he fell victim, was the prevailing intlu-
enza, from which he had suffered severely for
several days. His funeral is to be soemnized on
Thursday next, in the Chapel OF the Theological
Seminary, which tor so long time had been the
scene of his labors, and echoed to his feryent ut
terance OF praise and exhortation.
Professor Stuart has filled an important place
before the public for many years. OF singu
larlv ardent temperament, his activity was ever
seeking for new spheres of exercise. Limited
by the conditions of his office to certain pre-
scribed round Of teaching, he was cons family
aspiring to novel methods of exposition and to
original forms Of illustration IN the advocacy of
the system to which he was pledged. He was
conservative by education and habit; but
possessed the natural qualities which usually
place man In the ranks Of progress. Hence,
he often found himself In a false position. An
advocate of the freest inquiry, he was not left
free to embrace It's legitimate results. With
a holiness that confers "a lasting honor on
his independence OF mind. he welcomed the
rising lights ofEuropean learning, al a time when
taste for German theology was deemediequlv
lent 10 the abnegation Of Christianity. Discard
ing the alarms OF the ." timd good" unmoyed
by the oounsels of ,rusty friends who saw no
thing but urld glare in the bnlliancy of Ger
man scholarship, and impatient OF the stereotype
forms which had been assumed by the theology
Of the day, he broke out a new path into what
was then, the wilderness Of German erudItion,
bringing back with trumphan. assurance OF their
value, rch abundance Of strange fruits, which
men were In doubt whether to regard as grapes
OF Eshcol, or apples of Sodom."
The example OF Prof Stuart gave new I'M
pulse TO theological learning in this country
To certain extent, It changed its direction and
character. 1t made It less metaphysical. and
more critical. 1t removed 1t from the field of
abstrac. speculation, to that Of Biblical philol
ogy. Oihis numerous pupils, who still yenerate
his abilities and virtues, many have attained
rper and more accurate scholarship, than the
teacher, TO whom they are indebted for so many
genial and inspiring Influences. But without
hin, they would probably have remained in the
beaten track. They were led by his literary en-
terprlse to fresh fields and pastures new
which they have since cultivated with eminent
success and honor.
Prot. Stuart himself was neither a profound
nor wise scholar He made too free use Of his
German masters for his own mental soundness
and vigor His judgment was far inferior TO his
zeal His best writings are dishgured by vein
OF pedsntry, which was often worse than the
" dead flies ia the apothecaries ointment Nsr
had lie the critical sagacity the self possession,
and balance of mind, or the fine ana severe cul-
ture, which would have made him competent
authority on questions OF classical learning.
HIS pretenslons in that respect were submitted
10 a searching examination, few years since
by Professor Kingsley of Yale College, in an I'M
Ielenting but admirable review of an edition Of
Cicero, On which Prof Stuart had yen,ured with
slngularly inadequate preparation. Since the ap-
Pearance Of that article by the acute New-Haven
phllolOglst, Prot. Stuar's claims as a classical
scholar have seldom been alluded 10 with enthu.
sisstic admiration
o. late years, the lamented Professor had ex.
hiolted deep interest IN politics His writings
IN kat department. are certainly not among his