The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-09-01

"And He said What hast thou done 2 tn
voice of thy brothers blood crieth unto M
from the ground"
1t is fearful thought that the FIRST hu
man death of which we have any recorC
was death by violencc--a death by mur
der-and that by brothers hand.
But | cannot dwell on this thought
Yet does one ask me whether | dn moi
overstep the bounds Of propriety-wheth.
or do not trench on the prerogatives ot
the civil tribunals when | even infer con
cerning our departed brother that his was
a death OF vioIenee, inflicted by another's
hand? | do not accuse here any man OF
the wilful murder Of this my friend.
have my own opinion as to the propab!e
agency that Immediately caused his death,
But as Gods messenger, [ cite to answer
at Gods tribunal every man who, know
ing the weaknesses of the departed, act
ed other than brothers part towards
him
Beloved friends-it would be a false
charity-a tenderness which would in
deed be a weakness, not to say chargeable
with unfaithfuness to God and to man,
were / to seek to cover up the past. Had
the history Of the deceased during the
past few months been hitherto concealed,
it would not be my part to give it pub
licity. Gladly would I, if dared, imi-
tate those reverent, loving sons, who,
With a garment laid on both their shoul-
ders, walked backwards, and covered up
their fathers shame. No man in this
community (save, possibly, those nearest
of kim loved E T. Sterling more than |
loved him. None admired more his no
bic qualities. None, perhaps, was under
greater obligations to his generosity than
myself. When death, once and again,
entered my household, his brotherly sym
pathy offered me not only consolation, but
a resting place for the remains of my own
loved dead. BY the graves of my own
children, in his own burial place, stood
on Thursday last, to deposite his remains.
Can speak otherwise than tenderly con-
cerning him? | will speak as he (for |
knew we'll his heart) would have wished
me to speak. God give me grace to be
faithful.
L. 7. Sterling was one of the founders
of this church. He was, peeuniarily, its
largest benefactor. He gave not only his
money, but his time, his thoughts, his
watchful care to its ell-being. Twelve
years ago, under the ministry Of the first
Rector of St. Paul's, he professed, in Ho,
ly Baptism, to be Christs disciple; and
the tongue would deserve to be forever
palsied which should charge him with
having made that profession in wilful hy-
pocrisy. When | first knew him, almost
seven years ago, [ thought [ had seldom
seen his equal in all that makes the high
minded, liberal, Christian gentleman. He
was warden of this church a regular
and faithful teacherin the Sabbath-school;
an exceedingly punctual attendant on ali
the services Of the Sanctuary. His hand
was ever open to the cause of Christ, and
to the relief Of His poor.
found him just what the venerable
Bishop Of this Diocese, who had known
him fer twenty y-sevei years, described him
to be-"a most perfectly confidential, and
large-hearted, energetic man, as staunch
friend as ever was" A man, wrote the
Bishop. "whose mind is one of great in
Auence." And on Friday last | received
from this eminent Christian minister
lament from which | must read few
words: % have no heart to write-but
to be dumb-except to say 1T is the Lord
in reference to this most awful death of
our poor friend. What blow to you as
his Pastor. For nearly twenty-seven
years has his house been my kind and af-
fectionate home, and never anything but
the most generous aud afectionate hospi-
talty did | receive from him, and never
did [ see anything in him Inconsistent
with his profession as a Christian" |
need say 10 more in his praise. Many of
you knew him we'll; if any knew him bet
ter than myself, he knew more of the no.
bleness of his nature Yet this is the
man whose name has for week past been
in every mouth; whose sad, sad end we
can never cease to deplore.
More than two years ago, as his pas tor,
| could not but see and lament the be-
ginning of change in the aspect of his
Christian character. Business troubles
annoyed him and called him often from
MS home | feared that he was forming
new and injurious associations. Soon his
attendance at the Communion taole be-
came irregular, and ere long it ceased.
At last the fearful truth was made too
apparent that there were tempters about
his steps, Turing him to his ruin. shall
not recite what took place in the repeat
ed interviews between the pastor and this,
his erring brother. He ever took kindly
my admonitions and my eounsels. He
ingenuously, and with self-loathing, ac-
l.. Ii l,