The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-03-20

folio wing proceedings took place:
Mr.. Hsrsey In announcing the sad even,
said:
Mr.. SPEAKER: Irise to perform the pain
full duty Of announcing to this House the
death OF one Of its members, Samuel B.
Stone, Representative from the district Of
Brewer and 0rrington.
Mr.. Stone expired at his own homo on
Sunday evening last at eleven O'Clock, in the
forty-sixth year Of his age, but tho melan.
cholly intelligence did not reach this place
till last evening.
On Saturday last he was with us in his
usual health, and participated in the bust
ness and debates Of this House-aud left for
his home on that evening to visit - dear
and loved ones that mingle about y dearth
stone. He has gone never to return. But
alas, how short Is the transition from hft
unto death. To-day his body is clothed Ia
the habiliments Of the tomb; his spirit hos
passed to that eternal world from whor
misty confines no messenger ever returns
lie is gone. How sad the reflection. The
news Of his sudden exit fell upon our ears
like the zeal of the alarm bell ut night. II
fills our minds with apprehension and gloom.
We can hardly realize that w has been
IN our midst, and that one ofs6ur number
has been marked IA his victim
Mr.. Stone WIS an honest man. He did
not covet worldly honors or seek for place
and preferment. He possessed great origin.
ality Of character, and borrowed opinions oi
no one. In all his Intercourse with his fellow
men he has ever been governed and actuated
by the great principles Of right. He was a
man Of stern integrity. HIS purposes were
firm, and he never would depart from wha,
he conceived to be the line OF his duty. lie
was untiring in effort, u man Of great in
dustry and perseverance,, and had acquired
a large amount Of practical knowledge
which rendered his services valuable in de-
liberato bodies.
And in conclusion, Mr.. Speaker. l beg
leave to present the following resolutions
Resolved, That we have received the in
telligence of the death Of Samuel b. Stone,
late Representative in this House, with pro-
found sensations OF sorrow, and til It the cir
cumstances Of his sudden decease serve forci.
bly, to remind us that "in the midst Of life
we are i'm DEATH" and to admOnish US 10
prepare for that eternity to which we are all
fastening, the coming IL which to each Of
US, individually, we know not the day nor
the hour.
Resolved, That the members of this House
most willingly and sincerely bear testimony
to the many virtues of the deceased, 10 his
industry and usefulness as u legislator, and
to his fankness. integrity and sincerity rs
man, and that we believe all Of us might
learn something from the light Of his exam
pie Of the true objects Of life, and Of our
duties rs Legislators and men.
Resoiped That these resolves be entered
upon the Journal of the House, and copy
signed by the Speaker and Clerk be forward
ed to Mrs. Stone, the widow Of our deceased
fellow member.
The Resolves having been read by the
Clerk, and put on their passage,
Mr.. Crosby, Of Dexter, said:
Mr.. SPEAKER IL is with no ordinary
feelings Of emotion that l rise TO second the
resolutions introduced by my friend from
Bangor.
On this occasion we cannot DO otherwise
than forcibly reminded Of the mysterious
providence Of God. If the events OF life did
not constantly teach otherwise, one would
be led to suppose that the end Of man in this
world would only happen after the full ma
turity Of age-that he would come to his
grave, as fruit fully ripe falls to the ground,
or like ~ shock Of corn is gathered in its
season. But not d,y passes without nd.
monishing US that death is no respecter Of
persons, or places or times. 1t comes to the
iniant-the youth-the full grown man
the middle az d man-and him Of three score
years and ten-"tO the bridal chamber-to
the mother when she feels for the first time
her tist-born infants breath" to all, I'M
der every variety Of circumstances
Thou hast all seasons for thine own, D
Death"
Our lamented friend and brother mem.
Der, Mr.. Stone. has been cast down in the
midst of his usefullnes-in the height Of
his actiylty-in the full vigor Of manhood
pierced by tho arrow Of death, as suddenly
~ though slain by our side by the terrible
Implements Of war. He leaves wife and
Eve children to mourn the loss Of their dear.
est friend upon earth. Ofall the mysteries
OF Providence. none has ever appeared to me
more incomprehensibl than the taking
away Of parent when surrounded by the
young and helpless, who have in the order
OF nature been entrusted TO his care. and
who impentively require his kind assistance
and constant watc6fullness. We know
inieed. that this Is all right. There is in
truth no such thing rs an untimely DEATH
even the hairs Of our head arc all numbered,
and not sparrow falls TO the ground with
out our Fathers knowledge-and we may
confidently trust that He who feeds the raw
ems when they cry, and tempers the wind to
the shorn lamb, will also protect those OF
his family whom our friend has left behind
him, and ever hold them in the hollow OF
His hand. Though afflicted and bereaved,
he has left to them o legacy beyond all
price-the precious odor Of good name:
Mr.. Stone, for the short time that he had
been associated with us, had well earned q
character for industry and intelligence. and
above all for the sincerity Of his motives,
{ arlessnsss in giving expression to his own
convictions, and for his general integrity OF
purpose. This is saying much. An hon.
est man is the noblest work Of God.
To the rejecting mind there Is in truth no
reason for regret in the death Of such o
man. His spirit has but cast OF the fet-
trrs of carth-has laid as,de the habiliments
of clay-has taken one more great step in
the onward progress Of the soul-and will,
in the ages Of eternity, still pursue its wan
dcrous way.
How pregnant with meaning Is this event
TO every one Of us. But last Saturday he
was in this house. full Of life and mirth and
animation. He visits his family, and the
next We hear Of him Il death. Let Us not
forget the lesson of this day but throughout
our future lives remember the truthfulncs
of his chancter-his kithfulness 70 his
his couvictions-au like him, by IN honest
discharge Of duty, DO prepared at all times
for that great event which comes alike %
all. sri e. .asft rsai
" so live that WHEN Thy summons come ~ joia
The innum~rsble caravan, that mcvcs
tn the pale realms Of shade, where each snail take
I'll. chamber In The s,lxut halls u death,
Thou 70 not. like the quarry slave st night,
Scosqci 10 hi. dungeon; hot sustained and socihi
By an uafsl,rriss trust, sPproseh Thy grave,
Ike one Who waps the dnpey u his couch
About him, aud l,~s down TO pleasant drvans."
Mr.. woodman Of Baksport, said.