Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-12-09
Remarks OF N.Y. Il. Ferguson,

Remarks OF MR. H. Ferguson,
BEFORE HIS AUDIENCE LAST SUNDAY IN ANNoUSC=
ING THE DEATH OF JOHN A. M'EwEN.
The papers Of yesterday announced the
death of Hon. JOHN A. McEwEN' In the full
ness of the manly promise of noble and up
right life, he passes from our earthly gaze. 1t
seemeth proper that we should mention his
name and bear an humble tribute to bis mem
DRY. here, and in the presence of SO many of
his feilow-citizens who delighted to do honor
to the exalted virtues that gave dignity and
ornament to bis useful and honorable career.
Eminent for his intellectual accomplishments.
talented in very high degree, unblsm;shed
by any of those extravagances of character
that too often mar the beautiful proportions,
that make up the mental attainment OF our
distinguished men, he lived and died amongst
us. in the enjoyment OF a warmth of admira-
ton. whose expressive testimonials of respect
and affection it is not for me to portray. Few
men will leave sweeter and more refreshing
memory. The two capital virtues, which in
the estimation Of the highest and purest cul
ture of the world. advance the human char
acter nearest in resemblance to the divine,
are Benefcence and Truth These shone con-
spicuous in the bearing and conduct of our
friend. No partially of undiscerning friend
ship, but just and everywhere awarded es-
innate, records these noble qualities as the
characteristics of his life
But the altar-fres of bis genius burned
brightly, yes. so brightly, his mortal frame
has been prematurely consumed in their
blaze. from which the angel Of his life has as
cended. To our earthly vision he appears no
more. Is he, therefore. dcad?-is he, there
fore, lost? The everywhere ascending powers
Of Nature. the brightest evidences of our God
aud our Hope forbid and chido the unwor-
thy thought. He is invisible, only, because
the greatness and glory of his new and spirit
nal condition, transcend the scope and pow
CT of mortal eye. Nearer now to the in
nermost heart of his lonely companion, to
the children who need his protection. to the
honored parents who will still long for his
filial reverence and companionable love, TO
the tear of sisterly and fTaternal sympathy
that binds and interbinds our souls as one;
nearer the earnest endeavOrs of his friends
for the good and the true. nearer to chide and
admonish us as well as to encourage and help,
because he is nearer the Divine. which is the
universal and eternal. which blends the souls
of true affection here and holds them in sa-
cred affinity everywhere. O! it is thus feel
as feebly realize the great experience upon
h. H.. fp1J
union of spirit is eternal, because God is
spirit and all spirit is OF God. The elem rnts,
attributes, and activities of the soul are inn
mortal. and hence they cannot be confined to
any mortal or changing conditions. We call
the most complete Of these changes Death.
but not destruction. for death is the brightest
evidence of life, whether we regard the cor
porcal or the moral nature of man. Let
death, then. be but the emblem of Hope
that God-spring of all virtuous action, that
never leaves when death clings in her cold
embrace, but ever impresses the purified
memory with fit recollection of its treasured
march. 1t bids welcome to the sorrowing
heart to-day that gives victory to the weak.
Could we say that Nature was not true to her
SELF then might we say that Hope is not Di-
vine-that God had created and blessed our
Brother so richly in gifts and powers. and
could not maintain. Then might we say,
there is no Infnity! But this angel of life
brcathes its inspired intonations of love and
rcposc gently it wings its way to the be-
rcaved and dcsOlate it gathers the invita-
e I 1. Al. -. a.,
its nature enabling man, as he stands over
the grave of the departed. to respond amen to
what? To Fate? No; to God. 1t is guar
dian care of a protecting agency, that IInLs
the veil from mortal eye and permits res
pJnsive throb to condition and to destiny.
May it breathe upon the sorrowing to-day,
the purified evidence of its kindred nature.
Upon the of grave your honored fellow
townsman, not the mound of earth that shall
arise in yonder Cemetery no for that will
contain what the gravitating forces of nature
claim as their own-but the grave in your
sympathizing respect aud esteem, the deep
grave of confding affection opened in many
kindred hearts,-I would plant the myrtle of
an enduring Love and the amaranthe Of
evor-blooming Hope. would have you feel
the unity of our race in death As in birth ;
to know the heart and share, stimulated
by the virtues you now remember, the service
of a common brotherhood, in life, in death,
in destiny. Oh God we bless thee for
the life no longer visible to our weak and
fearful eyes. and above all we bless Thee
preserved in Thee, Father and Receiver of
ell