Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-08-22
AN rl1oa1r szs4e .s.,I,Ss DEATH OF

s. s. 8 NR.DoBBIN.
We Ind in the r yetteville Observer the Sermon
preached a. the funeral u Hon. James y. Dobbln,
on the 9th inst, by Rev. Adam Gilchrist, Pastor OF
the Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville. 1t 10 ap. I
propriate and beautiful. Had We room we would
publish the whole Of it. The following is an q.
tract: =
81 leave the task to others better able than my
self to recall to your memories the features Of his
public career. Of these will only use as much as
may be necessary to illustrate bis claim to be con-
sidered as perfect and upright man. seem to see
him standing before me like statue, not formed of
rough granite or standing out in colossal proper.
tons, but made of the finest marble, and showing
the most beautiful symmetry. may not see swOl.
len muscles IN that arm, nor is it raised IN warke
attitude as though in some bold attack it would
crush an enemy at blow; but see lithe sinewy
form, displaying the activity and irmness which the
occasion may demand.
Let those who have traced him from boyhood up,
speak: Says one, who was his school-felow, " the
boy was father to the man." No tricks of unseemly
mischief disposition tobe the tyrant on the play
ground, or to show himself the sheepish, skulkng
coward who is apt to call down injury on himself
by his own fears but there he was, both Improve
king and fearless, the embryo man. Says one, whose
testimony deserves to be taken, for it is estfno
ny from home, I never knew him give me petu-
liant word or wilfuly disobey my command. Trace
him next to College, there he is the studious youth,
attentive to rules, cherished by instructors and be-
loved by associates: gathering golden opinions, and
obtaining the reward of his diligence by departing
with College honors. There he made public pro-
fession of religion. learned the fact at his own
lips, that after season of religious excitement
had passed away, and many had fallen back into the
world, when there were few or none to give him en-
couragement save his venerated President DR.. Cald
well, he out from the midst of at least hun.
dred Of his fellows to avow himself thenceforth the
servant of God. To that act, said he, owe all my
after success in life In times of temptation, it has
ham, rs h-1v
me: it has been my shield and support, for have
thrown myself on God and been helped.
Trace him next in the professional walk which he
had chosen. would not trench on the province of
his Brethren at the Bar, but his urbanity was every
where proverbal and his synthetical mind, able to
construct fair showing out of the materials pre-
sented to his hand, did away with the necessity of
his employing, as his integrity would have led him
to disdan any improper artifice.
As politician he possessed the rare merit of new
er being offensive to his opponents: keeping his
own temper others could not be angry with him.
Where too many have found dirty pool, his hand
remained unstaned. In Congress and in the Legs-
lature, his such to please bis constitu
ents, and to win the respect of his feow-members
in both bodies And here, evidence of bis public
services to our own State, can but remind you how
much afflicted class of our fellow-be owe to
! collection the touching circumstances connected
with the passage of the bill establishing Lunatc
Asylum in North Carolina. noble woman, whose
services in this respect are known Throughout the
length and breadth of the land had pied privately
but in vain with many of the members of the Legis-
lature. A bill introduced and it was lost but
the lady referred to had been constant in her at
tendance upon our friends wife, who at that time
was laid upon what proved to be her bed of death,
and whose dying request was that he would exert
himself for the passage of the BILL Shortening that
| period when he had retired with stricken heart
for the purpose of seeking consolation he goes from
! his chamber to the House of Commons; he moves
reconsideration, and as though he hears the vice
of his lovely wife penetrating his ear and though
the spectacle came before him of the numbers of
those throughout the State who deprived of Gods
noblest gift, he pleads their cause from gushing
sensibilty-losing sight of himself in his manly ap
peal for Them he knows not that he is eecting any
| thing. until he becomes conscious of q death like
stiffness in the ROOM and witnesses the tear falling
| from the Speakers eye He wins the triumph the
bill is re-considcred and passed, and ample appro.
priations made. The stately home of the afflict
ed should bear his name for it is the monument of
his sympathzing manhood.
Look to him next as member of the Cabinet
Useful reforms will testify the correctness of his
judgment well the integrity of his principles.
How difficult is the work of reform, when evils to be
remedied are both multiplied and magnfed. And
yet he succeeds in establishing the principle, that
promotion in the Navy shall 60 by merit and not by
time of service. Here, he sustains the reputation
previously acquired, vi being able to 90 MS DUTY,
while giving as little pain as possible to those whom
it might affect. Numbers who might have conceiv-
ed themselves injured by his course, found in him
afterwards sympathizer and an assisting friend
1t is no common testimony to his worth, CONSIDER.
ing the source whence it comes) given recently to
| your speaker by distinguished gentleman in the
| service of the Government: HE is the most truth
full public man have ever known, and without pro-
nouncing him the ablest he was the most popular
member of the recent Cabinet" --s
Let us not forget, that while he larbored so dill
gently and accomplished so much, he was for great
portion of the time diseased man. Who but he
could describe the pains which he took to conceal
his in6ruties; showing and receiving courtesies
| when he should have been in his bed; the whole
time of his sojourn in Washington was martyrdom ;
and when he came back among us, it was to thank
God that he had been permitted to return to die
among his kindred. And here too, again, assert
the parallel to the text is complete-his end soas
peace! How little are revealed to US of the med-
tations of man whose ties daily loosening his
steps to the grave, and looking beyond with hope
One interview had with him can never forget !:
Gratitude to God was his theme; and listening, as
did, to his rehearsal of the Divine mercy towards
him from youth up, I cut short interview
which, though greatly to my benefit feared would