The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-11-24

tOMu tudl MyrOH hdMlcuCc hIu
sure we are that none have looked
back to their Green Mountain home
with more sincere and undated affec-
ton In the midst Of devoted friends, md
in the enjoyment of high official honors
in his adopted state, his mind would
often recur instinctively to the scenes
of his boyhood, to the verdant valleys
and the lofty mountains of his ever low
ed Vermont.
Mr.. Lawrence graduated in 1920,
was q classmate of the Rev. DR.. Olin,
and second to him only as scholar.
The ardent and deep Election which
he entertained for that distinguished
friend and .classmate, was expressed in
language and manifested in manner at
our commencement in 1851. The
tidngs came over the telegraphic wires
that DR.. Olin had deceased. Mr.. l..
was profoun dly affected at the intelli
gence, and on a suitable occasion he
poured forth in eloquent strains trib-
ute of affection to his memory. In
College Mr.. L. was distinguished for
his o ycrs ofacquisticn IN leady com
munication. These qualities laid the
foundation of his emincnce. As an
impressive extemporancous speakcr,he
was cxcclled by few, and the oppo-
nent, who vcnturcd to encounter
him in debate in Legislative halls or
elsewhere, found 10 occasion for self
graduation at the result of the conflict.
lie was sometimes called the Sheridan
of Massachusetts, in allusion merely
to the character Of his cloquence, i'm
aginative, impctuous and persuasive.
As q lawer he felt more at home in ad.
dressing a jury than in discussing be-
fore the court intricate and subtle
points Of law. As statesman he was
cautious and conservative, friend to
enlis shtencd progress, but sternly op-
posed to rash experiments and radical
innovations.
And, Mr.. Editor, we can speak Of
him in another character. Mr.. Law
renee was christian. 1t is a com
mon practice we know,-but one which
we most earnestly deprecate, to invest
our statesmen and our prominent pub
lie men, at their deceasc,with the NOR
al and religious virtues Of the chris
tian. Is it needful for US to say, that
man may serve his country faithful
ly and well ,and yet fail essentially and
fatally in his duties towards his God
and Redeemcr Two or three years
before his decease, when about fifty
years Of age, Mr.. Lawrence became
personally interested in religion dur
ing revival in Belchertown. At once
he took stand publicly and privately,
and ranked himself among the disci-
pies of Christ. His light was not
hid "under a bushel y on all suitable
occasions, in the midst of his fellow dis
ciples, or surrounded by his political
or professional associates. he was
ready to avow his belief in the impor-
tance Of religion, and his personal in
terest in the Savior. In public house
in Boston, where tie inmates are ac-
customed to assemble, morning and
evening around the altar Of worsllip,we
have Seen him conduct the devotions OF
that great family, and have heard his
earnest and affecting appeals to the
throne of grace. Of the exercises Of
his mind and heart in the last trying
hour, we have seen no account, but
from our knowledge Of his views and
christian experience, we are prepared
to hear that he died in the triumphs Of
faith. " A christian is the highest
style of man." "Let me die the death
of the righteous, and let my last end
be like his" A FRIEND.