New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-04-12
Death of Bishop Hcdding.

The death Of Rev. ELIJAH HEDDING,
Senior Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. took
place on Saturday. at his residence in Poughkeepsie
Bishop Heddng In the seventy second year Of his
age having entered the ministry of the Methodist Church
tyone years ago. and sustained the Office of Bishop for
twenty eight years. His last illness and pro
tracted but he bore it with mistaken forttude and
Christian resignation. He distinguished for his do
votion to duty the purity and dsintercsedness of his
character his extensive atanments, and his wide per-
sonal influence in the Methodist Church His death 10
not merely an affection the denomination, of which
he was an eminent leader, but may be justly regarded
as public loss An interesting account of his last days
is given in The Christian Adrocde the editor Of which
paid visit to the venerable Bishop, week previous
to his death We quote two of its paragraphs
On Saturday made trip to Poughkeepsie, in COM
pany with Bishop James for the purpose Of final inter
view with our beloved and venerable Senior Superin
tendent Bishop Holding
Upon entering the room he reached out his hand Civ
ing two fingers to Bishop James, and indicating that the
other two reserved for US. When he had in this
manner taken hands he said, E" am glad to
you than can possibly express. am full OF disease
old diseases and new ones are upon me-and am pros
uated ! am feeble that / cannot talk much I
would be glad to ask you many questions about the con-
ferences and the preachers but my strength viii not adj
nit Pausing little he then resumed his remarks and
said One thing wish to say now lest should not be
able to it at any future time-for may drop away
At any momenand that Is that God has been wonder
fully good TO mehis goodness has been overwhelming
overwhelming"
We now took leave until five p NJ, when we had the
favor of another interview. He seated in an
easy chair, and consecutvely uttered series of SEN
fences which seemed almost as weghty though they
had come from the land OF spirits. | suffered
~" sad he and although have fear of DEATH
have dread Of pain. The flesh repnes the flesh
of the Saviour repned He said 4" o my Father If 1t
be possible let this pass from me- nevertheless not my
l...oL - H.. 4
to do only that might preach Christ to preach
Christ would rather preach Christ anywhere--on
the hardest circuthan to have all the wealth and ths
honors OF the kingdoms of this world.
% for trumpet voice,
On all the world 10 call,
And bid their hearts rejoice
In Him who died for all"
Here he paused and for some time gave vent 30 his
feelings in tears. Recovering the power of utterance
he proceeded: "When think OF the dear preachers
with whom have become acquainted all over the length
and breadth of the land it hard not to be able 10
visit them again. But the will of the Lord be done my
will Is lost in his will have will of my own" Az
ter shost pause he said; Fftyswo years ago, last
December, gave up my all to God aud have never
taken back the gift | have been most fallibe crea-
ture, and have committed many involuntary offences
but have never wlfully departed from God have al
ways needed the atCnement OF Christ and have trusted
In that alone for the forgiveness of all my shortcomings
feel that can sing with Mr.. Wesley
j the chief Of sinners am,
But Jesus died for me-
used TO wonder how il could be that Christ could
have mercy upon such poor miserable sinner a. am
and cave mo- There kind OF mist over the sub
ect but within few days all this mist has been clear
ed aw !. now see such goodness, such glory, such
power-sueh poro'-repeatng the word with great
emphasis" in the Redeemer that there is no diff
fculty in ar We remarked, Your spiritual vision Is
now clear Yes responded he, il Is all plain now
During the conversation he remarked -" Since this
dreadful disease struck me- more than year ago.
have not had one really dark hour, or one pang Of
guilt"
We retired from the room with the strongest feelings
OF admiration Of the humility the deep and unaffected
piey, and the gigantic intellectual strength Of our vcne
rable senior Bishop. We have known and ADM red hs
real greatness from the period Of first acquaintance
with him. But If he great In the field Of action he
Is still greater in the hour Of suffering and in the pros
pect OF death