Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-09-19
THE LATE ABBOTT LAWRENCE.
The following incident was mentioned
~ the Rev. DR.. Winthrop, in funeral

The following incident was mentioned
by the Rev. DR.. Winthrop, in funeral
discourse:
At the close of the funeral services on
Wednesday, while crowds were passing
up this aisle, to look upon the face of the
dead, as l was standing here just beneath
this pulpit, a gentleman. who 1 saw at
once was clergyman, came, and ad-
dressing me by name, asked if he might
speak to me a moment. Ny reply was,
"Can you not choose some other time?
l cannot attend to any business amid
this scene, and with that body lying
there"
His answer was, rapidly as he could
speak, as if his heart was bursting for ut
terance, and with tears streaming down
his cheeks, 81 must leave the city at two
O'Clock, and must speak now. 1t is of
him who has left tnat body l would speak
Eighteen years ago 1 was poor boy in
this city, without means, and without
friends. was member of the Mechan-
ic Apprentices Association. Mr.. Law
renee came to one of our meetings. He
heard me deliver an essay 1 had written.
He spoke to me afterwards-inquired in
to my circumstances and character
had made known to him my wants and
wishes. He furnished me with means to
acquire an education; when prepared,
told me Harvard was best, but to go to
what college liked.
81 went 10 the Wesleyan University.
He supported me at it. I am now min
ister of the Gospel in the State of New
York. 1 saw his death in the paper and
a notice of his funeral to-day. l came
to attend it. He was my greatest bene-
factor. l owe it to him that am min
lister of the glorious Gospel of Christ. /
am not the only one he has helped thus.
, God will accept him. 1 felt that must
say this 10 some one; to whom can l bet
ter say it than to his Clergyman" And
with this he hurried away. leaving me
only time to learn his name and receive
from him kind promise to write me.
The preacher also gave the following
particulars of an interview with Mr.. Law
renee during his last illness;
The religious faith, which made hi
life pure and righteous, gave him strong
support and rich consultations in sicknes;
and death. His last illness was marked
by patience, meekness and manly forti-
tude; constant thoughtfulness for 9th,
ers; yeal ming tenderness toward those
whom he loved on earth, and devout
trust in Him, whom he loved in Heaven
He could not see me often, nor were my
visits necessary to one who, in all his life,
h ID walked so near to God.
But the few interviews had with him
made me feel more deeply than ever the
majesty OF Christian faith, and the gran
deur and glory of those hopes, which
preserve their brightness and reality, and
become the life and stay of the soul when
all earthly things fail. In one of my Wis
its there was an expressive expression ol
Christian humility. l had offered pray
er, and was retiring, when he said faint
ly, but with a very distinct utterance,
81 wish to speak to you;" and then, IN
reference to strong expressions of conf
dence he had made at a previous inter
view, 81 fear you misconceived me, and
thought me presumptuous, to express any
feeling unbecoming mortal man and a
sinner. | mean to be humble. fee
my need of the Divine mercy, and trusI
in it through Christ. l only meant 10 ex
press my entire submission to the will o.
the Heavenly Father"
The sublime sentiment of submission
was the atmosphere of mis- soul. 1t wa:
written upon his countenance during al
his sickness, and remained there wher
death had set his seal upon his brow
There was blessed fulfulment of Scrip
ture in all the closing scene of his life
"Mark the perfect man, and behold thu
upright, for the end of that manis peare.