The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-08-18
AN ELOQUENT SERMON
ON THE DEATH OF MIR DOBBIN.

Sermon preached at the uHeTdi VI 1Aoh'
James G. Dobbin, ON the 9th inst, by Rev.
Adam Gilchrist, Pastor of the Presbyterian
Church in Fayetteville. 1t is appropriate
and Beautiful. Had we room we would pub
Ish the whole of it. The following is an
extract:
81 leave the task to others better able than
myself to recall TO your memories the
features of his public career. Of these
will only use as much as may be necessary
to illustrate his claim to be considered as
perfect and upright man. I seem to see
him standing before me like statue, not
formed of rough granite or standing out in
colossal proportions, but made of the finest
marble, and showing the most beautiful
symmetry. may not see swollen muscles
in that arm, nor is it raised in warlike at
tftude as though in some bold attack it
would crush an enemy at a blow; but [ see
a 1.-the, sinewy form, displaying the activity
and firmness which the occasion may de-
mand.
Let those who have traced him from boy
hood up speak: Says one, who was his
school fellow, 1.-THE boy was father to the
man." No tricks OF unseemly mischief, no
disposition to be the tyrant on the play
ground, or to show himself the sheepish,
skulking coward who is apt to call down in
jury on himself by his own fears; but there
he was, both unprovoking and fearless, the
embryo man. Says one, whose testimony
deserves to be taken, for it is q testimony
from home. 1 never knew hi1n give me
petuant word or wilfully disobey my COM
mand. Trace him next to College; there
he is the studious youth, attentive to rules,
cherished by instructors, and beloved by
associates /: gathering golden opinions, and
obtaining the reward of his diligence by de-
parting with College honors. There he
made public profession 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 mono to give
him encouragement, save his venerated
President, DR.. Caldwell, he came out from
the midst of at least hundred Of his fell
lows, to avow himself thenceforth the SER
want of God. To that act, said he, L owe
all my after success in life. In times of
temptation. it has been my security; in
times of difficulty, it has nerved me it has
been my shield and support, for [ have
thrown myself on God and been helped.
Trace him next in the professional walk
IL - 10 T nf ooh
on the province ofhis Brethren at the Bar,
but his urbanity was everywhere proverbial
and his synthetical mind, able to construct
fair showing out of the materials presented
to his hand, did away with the necessity of
his employing, as his integrity would have
led him to disdain, any improper artitice.
As politician, he possessed the rare
merit of never being offensive to his op~
ponents keeping his own temper, others
could not be angry with him. Where too
many have found a dirty pool, his hands
remained unsta:ned. In Congress and in
the Legislature, his course was such as to
please his constituents, and to win the re-
spect of his fellow-members in both bodies.
to our own State, can but remind you how
much an afflicted class of our fellow beings
owe to his exertions, nor can | forbear
bringing to your recollection the touching
circumstances connected with the passage
of the bill establishing a Lunatic Asylum
in North Carolina. A noble woman, whose
services in this respect are known through
out the length and breadth of the land, had
plead privately but in vain with many of
the members of the Legislature. A bill
was introduced and it was lost but the
lady referred to had been constant in her
attendance 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 a 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 voice of his
lovely wife penetrating his ear, and as
though the spectacle came before him of
the numbers of those throughout the State
who are deprived of Gods noblest gift, he
pleads their cause from gushing sensibili-
ty-losing sight of himself in his manly ap-
peal for them, he knows not that he is
effecting anything, until he becomes con-
scious of a death-like stiffness in the room,
and witnesses the tear falling from the
Speakers eye. He wins in triumph; the
bill is re-considered and passed, and ample
appropriations are made. The stately home
of the afflicted should bear his name for it
is the monument of his sympathizing man
hood.
Look to him next as a member of the
Cabinet. Useful reforms will testify to the
correctness of his judgment as we'll as the
integrity of his principles. How difficult
the work to reform, when evils to be rene
died are both multiplied and magnifed.-
And yet he succeeds in establishing the