The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-07-10

abode of freedom, intelligence, plenty,
prosperity and peace, and feel that IN
giving his energies with patriotic love
to the welfare Of his country he is conse-
Grating himself with christians zeal
to the extension and establishment OF the
Redeemer's kingdom. Compared with
a career Ike this, which is equally open
to those whose public sphere is large or
small, how patry are the trade of patri.
otism, the tricks of craftsmanship, the
rewards OF successful basencss! This
hour-this scene-the venerated dead,
the country, the world, the present, the
future, God, duty, Heaven, hell, speak
trumpet-tongued to all in the service of
their country, TO bemore how they lay
polluted or unhallowed hands upon the
ark Of her magnificent and awful cause
Such is the character of that states
manship which alone would have met
the full approval Of the venerated dead.
For the religion which always had a
place in the convictions of his mind has
also, within recent period. entered
into his experience, and seated itself in
his heart. Twenty years since, he wrote
81 am member of no religious sect, and
am not professor of religion. regret
that am not. | wish that was, and
trust that shall be. have, and always
have had, profound regard for Chris
tianity, the religion of my fathers, and
for its rites. its usages, and observances.
That feeling proves that the seed sown
by pious parents was not dead, though
stided. A few years since its dormant
life was re-awakened. He was baptized
in the communion of the Protestant
Episcopal church; and during his soiourn
in this city he was in full communion
in the Trinity Parish.
II is since his withdrawal from the
sittings of the Senate that have been
made particularly acquainted with his
religious opinions, character and feelings.
From his first illness he expressed to me
the persuasion that it would be fatal
From that period until his death it has
been my privilege to have held with him
frequent religious services and CONVEX.
satlons in his room. He avowed to me
his full faith in the great leading doc
trnes of the Gospel-the fail and sinful
ness of man-the divinity of Christ
the reality and necessity of the atone
ment-the need of being born again by
the spirit and salvation, through faith in
the crucified R"deemer. HIS own per-
sonal hopes of salvation he ever and
distinctly based on the promises and the
grace OF Christ. Strikingly perceptible
on his naturally impetnous and lnpa-
tent character was the influence of
grace in producing SUBMISSION and spa
tient waiting for Christi and for death.
On one occasion he spoke to me of the
pious example of one very near and dear
to him, as that which led him deeply to
feel and earnestly to seek for himself the
reality and blessedness ofreligion.
On one occasion he told me that he
had been striving to form a conception
of Heaven; and he enlarged upon the
mercy of that provision by which our
Saviour became partaker of our hui
mainly that our hearts and hopes might
fix themselves on him. On another &C.
caSlon, when he was supposed 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 saliva
ton upon Christ; that it was too ate for
him to look at Christianity in the light of
speculation; 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 DESTROYS Of having his mind
undiverted, no persons were present but
his son and servant. 1t was a scene long
to be remembered. There, in that still
chamber, at weekday noon, the tides
of life all flowing strong around us, three
disciples of the Saviour, the minister of
God, the dying statesman, and his SER
want, partaker of the like precious faith,
commemorated their Saviour's diving
love. He joined in the blessed Sacra-
ment with great feeling and solemnity,
now pressing his hands together, and
now spreading them forth as the words
of the service expressed the feelings, de-
sires, supplicatlons, and thanksgivings
OF his heart.
After this he rallied, and again was
permitted frequently to join with him in
religious services, conversations and
prayer. He grew in grace, and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Je-
sus Christ. Among the books that he
read most were jays Morning and Eve
ming Exercises, the Life of Dr.. Chal.
mers, and the Christian Philosopher