The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-01-25
band was dying. l Immediately obeyed

oauu was uyng. l lmmeOlately oOey6O
the summons. ~
"On entering his chamber, found the
whole of his family assembled to take fare-
well Of him they so tenderly loved. As
soon as he perceived me, he motioned for
me 10 approach near to him, and taking
my hand in both Of his, he turned towards
me his dying countenance, full of graft
tude and affection, and said, MY dear
master. my best earthly friend. have sent
for you that may give you the thanks
and blessing of dying man for all your
goodness to me. To your generosity and
mercy owe it. thet have lived useful and
respected, that die lamen.ed and happy.
To you owe it, that l leave to my chill.
dren a name unsullied by crime. that in
after years the blush Of shame shall never
tinge their cheeks at the memory OF their
father, 0 God!' he continued, Thou who
hast said, "blessed are the merciful," bless
him. According to the measure he has
meted TO others, do thou mete unto him.
Then turning to his family, he said, my
beloved wife and children, intrust you.
without fear, TO the care Of that heavenly
parent who has said, "Leave thy father
less children to me, and l will preserve
them alive, and let thy widows trust in
me-" And you, my dear master, will,
know, be to them as you have been to
me-guide, protector, and friend That -
continued the kind old man, looking round
upon US with glistening eyes, s'though
mixed with sorrow. was one Of the hap
piest moments of my life. As | stood by
the bedside of the dying man, and looked
around upon his children growing up vir.
tuous, intelligent, and upright, respecting
and honoring. as much as they loved their
father; when saw his wife. though over
come with grief for the loss OF a tender
and beloved husband, yet sorrowing not
as one without hope, but even in that mo-
ment OF agony deriving comfort from the
belief that she should meet him again in
that world where
sAdieus and farewells are a sound unknown;'
when listened 10 his fervent expressions
Of gratitude, and saw him calmly await
ing the inevitable stroke, trusting in the
mercy OF God, and at peace with his fsl.
low-men; and when thought of what the
reverse Of all this might have been-crime.
misery's a disgracefnl and dishonored life,
perhaps shameful and violent death
had yielded to the first impulse OF in.
dignation, felt happiness which nc
| words can express. We are told thai
there is more JOY amongst the angels o.
God over one sinner that repenteth, than
over ninety and nine just persons tha
need no repentance. With such Joy al
we may imagine theirs. did rejoice over
poor Smith, as closed his eyes, ant
heard the attendant minister in ferven
tones exclaim. BLESSED are the dead tha
die in the Lord; yea. saith the spirit, fo
they rest from their labors, and their work.
do follow them My friends, am an ole
man. During a long and eventful caree
| in business, | have had intercourse will
almost every variety Of temper and dispo
sition, and with many degrees Of talent
but have never found reason to swervs
from the principle with which | set out ir
life. to temper justice with mercy" s.
Such was the story Of our friend. Ant
believe not one in that company but re
turned home more disposed to Judge leni
emily Of the failE g Of his fellow creatures
and. as far as lay in his power, to extent
to all who might fall into temptation tina
mercy which. under similar circumstances
he would wish shown to himself. feelin,
"that it is more blessed to save than t
destroy" "-Cham6er's Edinburg Journal